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Jack the Hunchback. 


BY 

JAMES OTIS, \ rv 

ll J) ' 

AUTHOR OF “TOBY TYLER,” “TIM AND TIP,” “MR. STUBB’S 
BROTHER,” “THE CASTAWAYS,” “RAISING THE PEARL,” 
“SILENT PETE,” “ LITILE JOE,” “LEFT 
BEHIND,” ETC., ETC. 






BOSTON ; 

BRADLEY & WOODRUFF. 





Copyright, 1892, 

By Bradley & Woodruff. 


All rights reserved. 






CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER 

I. 

Adrift .... 




PAGE 

1 

II. 

At Aunt Nancy’s 




14 

III. 

Learning to Milk . 




28 

IV. 

Pursued 




40 

V. 

An Encounter . 




52 

VI. 

A Mental Struggle . 




64 

VII. 

Farmer Pratt . 




75 

VIII. 

A Second Warning . 




88 

IX. 

The Alarm . 




99 

X. 

Sickness 




111 

XI. 

Gardening . 




122 

XII. 

Louis's Adventure . 




137 

XIII. 

The Sewing Circle . 




152 

XIV. 

After the Storm 




167 

XV. 

Brother Abner . 




179 

XVI. 

A Hurried Departure 




191 

XVII. 

Camp 3Ieeting . 




204 

XVIII. 

A Disasti:r . 

t 



218 

XIX. 

Jack’s Proposition . 




232 

XX. 

Bill Dean . 




247 

XXI. 

Startling Infor3iation 




261 

XXII. 

The Arrival 




273 






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JACK THE HUNCHBACK 


Chapter I. 

ADPJFT. 

Tom Pratt firmly believed lie was the most 
unfortunate boy in Maine when, on a certain June 
morning, his father sent him to the beach for a 
load of seaweed. 

Tom had never been in love with a farmer’s 
life. 

He fancied that in any other sphere of action he 
could succeed, if not better, certainly more easily, 
than by weeding turnips or hoeing corn on the 
not very productive farm. 

But either planting or digging was preferable 
to loading a huge cart with the provokingly slip- 
pery weeds which his father insisted on gathering 
for com]30st each summer. 

Therefore, when the patient oxen, after much 
goading and an unusual amount of noise from 
their impatient driver, stood knee-deep in the surf 
contentedly chewing their cuds and enjoying the 


2 


Jack the Hunchback. 


cool footbath, Tom, instead of beginning his 
work, sat at the forward part of the cart gazing 
seaward, thinking, perhaps, hoAV pleasant must be 
a sailor’s life while the ocean was calm and smil- 
ing as on this particular day. 

So deeply engrossed was he in idleness that his 
father’s stern command from the hillside a short 
distance away, “ to ’tend to his work an’ stop 
moonin’,” passed unheeded, and the same ox-goad 
he had been using might have been applied to his 
own body hut for the fact that just as Farmer 
Pratt came within striking distance a tiny speck 
on the water attracted his attention. 

It looks to me as if that might be a lapsti’eak 
boat out there. Tommy. Can you see anybody 
in her ? ” 

“ I reckon that’s what it is, father, an’ she must 
be adrift.” 

Farmer Pratt mounted the cart and scrutinized 
the approaching object until there could no longer 
be any question as to what it was, when Tom said 
gleefully, — 

“ It must be a ship’s boat, an’ if she hasn’t got 
a crew aboard, we’ll make a bigger haul than we 
could by cartin’ seaweed for a week.” 

“Yes, them kind cost more’n a dory,” the farmer 
replied dreamily, as he mentally calculated the 


Jack the Hunchback. 


amount of money for which she might be sold. 
“ I reckon we’ll take her into Portland an’ get a 
tidy-” 

“ I can see a feller’s head ! ” Tom interrupted, 
“ an’ it shets off our chance of sellin’ her.” 

That the boat had an occupant was evident. 

A closely shaven crown appeared above the 
stem as if its owner had hut just awakened, and 
was peering out to see where his voyage was about 
to end. 

Nearer and nearer the little craft drifted until 
she was dancing on the shore line of the surf, and 
the figure in the bow gazed as intently landward 
as the farmer and his son did seaward. 

“ It’s a boy, father, an’ he ain’t as big as me ! ” 
Tom cried. “Well, that heats anything I ever 
saw ! ” 

This last remark probably referred to the gen- 
eral appearance of the young voyager. 

He was an odd-looking little fellow, with a 
head which seemed unusually small because the 
hair was closely cropped, and a bent, misshapen 
body several sizes too large for the thin legs which 
barely raised it above the gunwales. The face 
was by no means beautiful, Imt the expression of 
anxiety and fear caused it to appeal directly to 
Tom’s heart, if not to Ids father’s. 


Jack the Hunchback. 




Farmer. Pratt was not pleased at thus learning 
that the boat had an occupant. 

Empty, she would have been a source of profit ; 
but although there was apparently no one save 
the deformed lad aboard, he could make no legal 
claim upon her. 

The craft was there, however, and would 
speedily he overturned unless he waded out into 
the surf at the risk of a rheumatic attack, to pull 
her inshore. 

Although decidedly averse to performing any 
charitable deed, he did this without very much 
grumbling, and Tom was a most willing assistant. 

That which had come out of the east on this 
bright June morning was a ship’s lifeboat about 
eighteen feet long, and with the name ‘‘ Atlanta ” 
painted on the gunwales. 

She was a much more valuable craft than 
Mr. Pratt had ever seen ashore on Scarborough 
beach, and yet he failed to calculate her value 
immediately, because as the bow grated on the 
sand the misshapen boy, from wliose white lips 
not a word had escaped during all tliis time, 
suddenly lifted what at first appeared to be a 
bundle of cloth. 

This act in itself would not have caused any 
surprise, but at the same moment a familiar noise 
was heard from beneath the coverings. 






Jack the Hunchback. 


5 

Farmer Pratt stepped back quickly in genuine 
alarm and wiped his face with the sleeve of his 
shirt as he exclaimed, — 

“ Well, this beats anything I ever seen ! ” 

“ It’s a baby, father ! ” Tom cried, starting for- 
ward to take the burden from the crooked little 
sailor’s arms ; but the latter retreated as if afraid 
the child was to be carried away, and the farmer 
replied testily, — 

“ Of course it’s a baby. Haven’t I heard you 
cry often enough to know that ? ” 

“ But how did it come here ? ” 

“ That’s what beats me ” ; and then, as if 
suddenly realizing that the apparent mystery 
might be readily solved, he asked the stranger, 
“ Where did you come from, sonny ? ” 

From Savannah.” 

“ Sho ! Why, that’s way down in Georgy. 
You didn’t sail them many miles in this ’ere little 
boat?” ■ 

“No, sir. We broke adrift from Captain 
Littlefield’s ship • yesterday when she blowed up, 
an’ the baby’s aAvful hungry.” 

“Ship blowed up, eh? Whereabouts was she?” 

“ Out there ” ; and the boy pointed eastward in 
an undecided manner, as if not exactly certain 
where he had come from. 


6 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“What made her blow up?” Tom asked curi- 
ously. 

“I don’t know. There was an awful splosion 
like more’ll a hundred bunches of firecrackers, 
an’ the captain put Louis an’ me in the lifeboat 
to wait till his wife got some things from the 
cabin. While all the sailors was runnin’ ’round 
wild like, we got adiift. I hollered an’ hollered, 
but nobody saw us.” Then he added in a lower 
tone, “Louis cried last night for somethin’ to eat, 
an’ he must be pretty hungry now.” 

“Well, well, well!” and as the thought of 
whether he would be paid for the trouble of 
pulling the boat ashore came into the farmer’s 
mind, he said quickly, “ ’Cordin’ to that you 
don’t OAvn this boat?” 

“She belongs to the ship.” 

“An’ seein’s how the vessel ain’t anywhere 
near, I reckon I’ve as much right to this craft as 
anybody else. Where do you count on goin’?” 

“If we could only get back to New York I’m 
sure I would be able to find the captain’s house.” 

“It’s a powerful long ways from here, sonny; 
bu^- I’ll see that you are put in a comfortable 
place till somethin’ can be done. What’s your 
name?” 

“John W. Dudley; but everybody calls me 


Jack the Hunchback. 


7 


Jack, an’ this is Louis Littlefield,” the boy re- 
plied as he removed the coverings, exposing to 
view a child about two years old. 

Master Tom was delighted with the appearance 
of the little pink and white stranger, who was 
dressed in cambric and lace, with a thin gold 
chain around his neck, and would have shaken 
hands with him then and there if Jack had not 
stepped quickly back as he said, — 

“ He’s afraid of folks he don’t know, an’ if you 
get him to cryin’ I’ll have a worse time than 
last night. What ne wants is somethin’ to eat.” 

“Take ’em right up to the house. Tommy, an’ 
tell mother to give them breakfast. When I get 
the boat hauled around (for I’ve got every reason 
to consider her mine). I’ll carry both out to 
Thornton’s.” 

Jack clambered from the craft, disdaining 
Tom’s assistance, and, taking the child in his 
arms, much as a small cat might carry a very 
large kitten, stood waiting for his guide to lead 
the way. 

Farmer Pratt’s son was in no especial hurry to 
reach home, for while escorting the strangers Jie 
certainly could not be expected to shovel seaweed, 
and Jack said as Tom walked leisurely over the 
hot sand, — 


8 


Jack the Hunchback, 


“If you don’t go faster, the baby’ll begin to 
cry, for he’s pretty near starved.” 

“Why not let him walk? He’s big enough; 
his legs are twice as large as Mrs. Libby’s baby, 
an’ he went alone a good while ago.” 

“I’d rather carry him,” Jack replied; and then 
he refused to enter into any conversation until 
they were at the foot of the narrow, shady lane 
leading to the house, when he asked, “Who’s Mr. 
Thornton?” 

“ He keeps the poor farm, an’ father’s goin’ to 
take you out there.” ^ 

“What for? We want to go to New York.” 

“Well, you see I don’t reckon you’ll get as far 
as that without a slat of money, an’ father wants 
to put you fellers where you’ll be took care of for 
a while.” 

Jack stopped suddenly, allowed the baby to slip 
from his arms under the shade of an apple-tree 
whose blossoms filled the air with perfume, as he 
said angrily, — 

“ Louis sha’n’t be taken to the poorhouse ! I’ll 
walk my feet off before anybody but his mother 
shall get him.” 

“You couldn’t go as far as New York, an’ if 
he’s so hungry you’d better let him have some 
bread an’ milk.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


9 


“How long before your father’ll be back?” 

“It’ll take him a couple of hours to carry the 
boat down to the Neck, an’ that’s the only place 
where she can lie without gettin’ stove.” 

“Then we’ll go into your house long enough to 
feed the baby, an’ I’ll leave before* he comes.” 

“All right,” and Tom took up the line of march 
once more. “I don’t know as I blame you, for 
Thornton’s ain’t the nicest place that ever was, 
an’ I’d rather haul seaweed for a month than stay 
there one night.” 

Jack looked wistfully at the little farmhouse 
with its beds of old maid’s pinks and bachelor’s 
buttons in front of the muslin-curtained windows, 
thinking, perhaps, that shelter should be given 
him there rather than among the town’s paupers; 
but he made no remark, and a few moments later 
they were standing in the cool kitchen while Tom 
explained to his mother under what circumstances 
he had made the acquaintance of the strangers. 

Mrs. Pratt was quite as economical as her hus- 
band; but the baby face touched her heart fully 
as much as did the fact that the boat in which the 
children had drifted ashore would amply repay 
any outlay in the way of food and shelter. 

She accepted the statement made by Tom, 
that the children were to be sent to Thornton’s, 


10 


Jack the HunchhoA^k. 


because the town provided such an asylum, and 
there was no good reason, in her mind at least, 
why it should not he utilized in a case like this. 

Thus, with the pleasing knowledge that her 
involuntary guests would remain hut a short 
time and cost her nothing, she set out a plenti- 
ful su2)ply of fresh milk and sweet home-made 
bread, as she said, — 

“ Fill yourselves right full, children, for it will 
rest you to eat, and after you’ve had a nice ride, 
Mrs. Thornton will give you a chance to sleep.” 

Jack looked up quickly as if about to make an 
angry reply, and then, as little Louis went to- 
ward the table eagerly, he checked himself, 
devoting all his attention to the child by waiting 
until the latter had finished before he partook of 
as much as a spoonful. 

Then he ate rapidly, and after emptying two 
bowls of milk, asked, — 

“May I put some of the bread in my pocket?” 

“ Certainly, child ; but it won’t be needed, for 
there is plenty to eat at Thornton’s, and most 
likely in a few days the selectmen will find some 
way to send word to the baby’s relatives.” 

Jack put three slices of bread in his pocket 
before replying, and then, as with an effort he 
lifted Louis in his arms, said, — 


Jack the Hunchback. 


11 


“We’re not goiii’ to the poor farm, ma’am. 
We are bound to get to New York, an’ thank 
you for the bread an’ milk.” 

Just at that moment Mrs. Pratt was intent on 
carrying the dishes from the table to the pantry, 
therefore she did not see the deformed boy leave 
the house quickly, Tom following close behind. 

Jack heard her call after him to wait until 
Mr. Pratt should return; but he shook his head 
decidedly, and trudged out from the green-car- 
parted lane to the dusty road, bent only on sav- 
ing his little charge from the ignominy of the 
poorhouse. 

“ Say, hold on for father ! ” Tom cried. “ You 
can’t walk even so far as Saco, an’ where’ll you 
sleep to-night ? ” 

“ I’d rather stay in the woods, an’ so had 
Louis,” Jack replied; and then in reply to the 
child’s fretful cries, he added, “ Don’t fuss ; I’ll 
find your mother.” 

“ But how can you do it if the ship has blowed 
up?” Tom asked, quickening his steps to keep 
pace with the deformed boy. “ Perhaps mother’ll 
let you sleep in my bed to-night, an’ you won’t 
have to go out to the poor farm.” 

“ And then again she mightn’t, so I guess we 
wonT risk it.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 

“ Have you got any money? ” 

“ Not a cent.” 

Tom halted irresolutely for a moment, and then 
his charitable impulses gained the mastery. 

“ Here’s half of what I’ve got, an’ I wish it 
was more.” 

Involuntarily Jack extended his hand for the 
gift. 

Four marbles were dropped into it, and then 
Tom turned and ran like a deer as if afraid he 
might regret his generosity. 

The dusty road wound its way among the fields 
like a yellow ribbon on a green cloth, offering no 
shelter from the burning rays of the sun, and 
stretching out in a di*eary length. 

The hunchback plodded steadily on with his 
heavy burden, and as he walked the good people 
in the neighboring city of Portland were reading 
in their morning papers the following item : — 

A SINGULAR EXPLOSION. 

The ship “ Atlanta ” anchored inside the breakwater just 
before midnight, and her master reports a remarkable 
accident. 

The “Atlanta loaded at Savannah last week with cotton 
and turpentine, bound for Bremen. Owing to bathing 
winds she was eighty miles off Wood Island yesterday 
afternoon when an explosion occurred which blew off the 


Jack the Hunchback. 


13 


main hatch, and was followed by dense volumes of what 
appeared to be smoke. 

Believing the ship to be on fire, Capt. Littlefield’s first 
thought was of his wife and child, who were on board. 
The lifeboat was lowered, and in her were placed the 
captain's son and the cabin boy, a liunchback. 

Before Mrs. Littlefield could be gotten over the side, 
the sailors reported no fire in the hold, and the vapor 
supposed to be smoke was probably the gases arising 
from the turpentine stored in porous barrels of red oak. 

Ill the excitement no particular attention was paid to 
the children for some time, since the boat was believed to 
be firmly secured, and the consternation of the captain 
can be imagined when it was discovered that the craft had 
gone adrift. 

The ship stood off and on several hours without discov- 
ering any signs of the missing ones, and was then headed 
for this harbor. 

As a matter of course the captain will be obliged to 
proceed on his voyage without delay ; but Mrs. Littlefield 
is to remain in town several days hoping to receive some 
news of her child, and it is believed that the revenue 
cutter “ Cushing ” will cruise along the shore until the boat 
is found. 

It is understood that a liberal reward will be offered for 
any information which may be given regarding the where- 
abouts of the children, and until that has been done the 
editors of this paper will thankfully receive tidings of 
the missing ones in case they have been seen or sighted. 

It is particularly desirable that masters of vessels should 
keep a sharp lookout for a drifting boat. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


u 


Chapter II. 

AT AUNT NANCY’S. 

Jack toiled manfully on, running until his 
breath came in such short gasps that he was 
forced to walk slowly, and then pressing forward 
once more as if expecting Farmer Pratt was in 
full pursuit, urged to rapid travelling by the fear 
that little Louis would be taken to the poor farm. 

Up the long, steep hill, past the railroad station, 
until three roads stretched out before him; one 
straight ahead, another to the right, and the third 
to the left. 

He believed there was no time for hesitation. 

The one leading toward the south was the most 
inviting because of the trees scattered here and 
there along its edges, and into this he turned, 
going directly away from the city where Louis’s 
mother awaited tidings of her darling. 

The child grew fretful because of the heat and 
the dust, and the little hunchback heeded not his 
own fatigue in the effort to quiet him. 

On he went, literally staggering under his heavy 


Jack the Hunchhack. 15 

burden, until the yellow road seemed to mellow 
into a mist which danced and fell, and rose and 
danced again before his eyes until further progress 
was wellnigh impossible. 

They had arrived at a tiny stream, the banks of 
which were fringed with alders, and overhead a 
wooden bridge alforded a most pleasing shelter 
from the sun’s burning rays. 

Wiping the perspiration from his face. Jack 
looked back. 

No one was in sight. 

If Farmer Pratt had come in pursuit he might 
have mistaken the road, or turned homeward 
again some time previous, believing the boat not 
of sufficient value to warrant the journey which, 
if successful, would only end at the poorhouse. 

“Here’s where we’re goin’ to stop, Louis,” Jack 
said, lowering the child to the ground. “ It’ll be 
cool among these bushes, and if we turn into the 
fields a bit no one can see us from the road.” 

Then Jack took off his shoes and stockings, 
holding them on one arm as he raised the child 
with the other, and, wading through the shallow 
water, made his way among the bushes a distance 
of forty or fifty feet to where the leafy screen 
would prevent passing travellers from seeing 
them. 


le 


Jack the Hunchback, 


“I tell you what, the water feels good around 
a fellow’s feet. I’m goin’ to give you the same 
kind of a dose, an’ then you’ll be ready to gp to 
sleep.” 

Louis, sitting on the grass at the edge of the 
stream, offered no objection to the plan, and Jack 
soon made him ready for the partial bath. 

As the child’s feet touched the water he laughed 
Avith glee, and Jack’s fatigue Avas forgotten in his 
delight at having been able to afford this pleasure. 

After a feAV moments of such sport the mis- 
shapen guardian wiped the pink feet carefully with 
his handkerchief, replaced the shoes and stockings, 
took from his pocket the bread Avhich Avas crum- 
bled into many fragments, moistened them in the 
brook, and fed his charge until the latter’s eyes 
closed in slumber. 

Not before he had arranged a screen of leaves 
in such a manner that the sun would be prevented 
from looking in upon the sleeping child did Jack 
think of himself, and then he too indulged in 
the much-needed rest. 

The hours passed until the sun began to sink 
in the Avest. 

The birds came out from among the leaves and 
peej)ed doAvn curiously at the sleeping children, 
while a colony of frogs leaped upon a moss- 


Jack the Hunchback. 


17 


covered log, croaking in chorus their surprise at 
these unfamiliar visitors. 

One venerable fellow seemed to think this a 
most fitting opportunity to read his sons a homily 
on the sin of running away, and after the lengthy 
lesson was concluded he plunged into the water 
with a hoarse note of disapprobation, making such 
a splash that Jack leaped to his feet thoroughly 
awake and decidedly frightened. 

The hasty departure of the other frogs explained 
the cause of the disturbance, and he laughed to 
himself as he said, — 

“I reckon my hump frightened them as much 
as they did me.” 

He made a hurried toilet, bathed Louis’s face 
with his wet handkerchief until the little fellow 
awoke, and then continued what was at the same 
time a flight and a journey. 

“We’ve got to run the risk that somebody else 
will try to send us to the poor farm,” he said when 
they had trudged along the dusty road until the 
child became fretful again. “At the next nice- 
lookin’ house we come to I’m goin’ to ask the 
folks if they’ll let me do chores enough to pay 
for our lodging.” 

Fully half an hour passed before they were 
where this plan could he carried into effect, and 


18 


Jack the Hunchback. 


then Jack halted in front of a small white cot- 
taofe Avhich stood at the head of an arm of the 
sea, partially hidden hy the trees. 

“Here’s where we’ve got to try our lack,” the 
hoy said as he surveyed the house intently, and 
almost as he spoke a tiny woman with tiny ring- 
lets either side her wrinkled face appeared in the 
doorway, starting hack as if in alarm on seeing 
the newcomers. 

“ Goodness me ! ” she exclained as she sud- 
denly observed Jack staring intently at her. 
“Why don’t you come out of the sun? That 
child will he burned brown as an Injun if you 
stand there long.” 

Jack pressed Louis closer to him as he stepped 
forward a few paces, and asked hesitatingly, — 

“Please, ma’am, if you’ll let us stay here to- 
night I’ll do up all the chores as slick as a pin.” 

Tlie little woman’s surprise deepened almost 
into bewilderment as she glanced first at Louis, 
who had by this time clambered down from his 
guardian’s arms, and then at Jack’s boots, which 
were covered thickly with dust. 

“Oh, I’ll brush myself before I come in,” the 
boy said quickly, believing her hesitation was 
caused by tlie dirt on his garments, “ an’ we 
won’t be a mite of trouble.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


19 


The mistress of the cottage took Louis by the 
hand and led him, with Jack following close 
behind, into the wide, cool hall, the floor of 
which was covered with rugs woven with repre- 
sentations of impossible animals in all the colors 
of the rainbow. 

“Now tell me where you came from, and why 
it is necessary to ask for a home?” 

Jack hesitated an instant. 

The fear that she too might insist on sending 
Louis to the poor farm caused him to question 
whether he had better tell the whole truth, but 
another look at the kindly face decided him. 

He related his story with more detail than he 
had to Farmer Pratt, and when he concluded 
the little woman said in a motherly tone, — 

“You poor children! If the ship exploded 
there’s no one for you to go home to, and what 
will become of such a helpless pair?” 

“ I can’t tell I’m sure, ma’am ; but I know we 
ain’t helpless ” ; and Jack spoke very decidedly 
now. “ I’m big an’ can work, so I’ll take care of 
Louis till we find his father.” 

“ But if the ship was blown all to pieces ? ” the 
little woman continued. 

“ That don’t make any difference,” Jack in- 
terrupted. “ We’re goin’ right to his house in 
New York some time, no matter how far it is.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


W 


‘‘ But it’s a terribly long distance, and you 
childi’en will surely be sun-struck before you get 
even to Boston ! ” Then she added quickly, 
“ Here I am forgetting that you must be hungry ! 
Come straight away into the kitchen while I see 
what there is in the cupboard, for Aunt Nancy 
Curtis never lets any one, much less children, 
want for food very long in her house.” 

“ Are you Aunt Nancy ? ” Jack asked. 

“ I’m aunt to everybody in the neighborhood, 
which ain’t many, and two or three more nephews 
won’t make any difference. Set right up to the 
table, and after you’ve had a glass of cool milk, a 
piece of chicken and some cake I baked to put 
away for the summer boarders, we’ll see what can 
be done.” 

Jack was disposed to be just a trifle jealous of 
Louis’s evident admiration for this quaint little 
Aunt Nancy. He had already takfen her by the 
hand, and, in his baby fashion, was telling some 
story which no one, probably not even himself, 
could understand. 

“ You are a dear little boy,” the old lady said 
as she led him into the kitchen ; “ but neither 
you nor Jack here is any more calculated to walk 
to New York than I am to go to China this 
minute.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


<21 

“ If you’ll let me have a brush I’ll get some of 
this dust off,” Jack said as he glanced at the well- 
scoured floor and then at his shoes. “ I’m not fit 
to go anywhere till I look more decent.” 

“ Here’s a whisk-broom. Be careful not to 
break the handle, and don’t throw it on the 
ground when you’re done,” Aunt Nancy said as 
she. handed the brush to Jack. “ There’s the 
pump, and here’s a towel and piece of soap, so 
scrub yourself as much as you please, for hoys 
never can he too clean. I’ll comb the baby’s hair 
while you’re gone, and then we’ll have supper.” 

Louis made not the slightest protest when his 
misshapen little guardian left him alone with 
Aunt Nancy. He had evidently decided that she 
was a woman who could be trusted, and had 
travelled so much during the day that even a 
journey to the pump was more than he cared to 
undertake. ^ 

Jack brushed and scrubbed, and rubbed his face 
with the towel, after holding his head under the 
pump, until the skin glowed red, hut cleanly. 

When he entered the kitchen again where the 
little woman and Louis were seated cosily at the 
table, he was presentable even to Aunt Nancy, in 
whose eyes the least particle of dirt was an abom- 
ination. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


He took the vacant chair by Louis’s side, and 
was considerably surprised, because it was some- 
thing so unusual in his experience, to see the little 
woman clasp her withered hands and invoke a 
blessing upon “the strangers within her gates,” 
when she had thanked her Father for all his 
bounties. 

“ I went to meetin’ once down in Savannah,” 
Jack said; “but I didn’t know folks had ’em 
right in their houses.” 

Aunt Nancy looked at him with astonishment, 
and replied gravely, — 

“ My child, it is never possible to give too much 
praise for all we are permitted to enjoy, and one 
needn’t wait until he is in church before speaking 
to our Father.” 

Jack did not exactly understand what she 
meant, but he knew from the expression on the 
wrinkled face that it was perfectly correct, and at 
once proceeded to give his undivided attention to 
the food which had been put upon his plate with 
a liberal hand. 

How thoroughly enjoyable was that meal in the 
roomy old kitchen, through which the summer 
breezes wafted perfume from the honeysuckles, 
and the bees sang at the open windows while 
intent on the honey harvest ! 


Jack the Hunchback. 


When the children’s hunger was appeased, it 
seemed as if half their troubles had suddenly 
vanished. 

Louis crowed and talked after his own peculiar 
fashion; Jack told stories of life on board the 
“Atlanta,” and Aunt Nancy appeared to enjoy this 
“ visiting ” quite as much as did her guests. 

The housework was to be done, however, and 
could not be neglected, deeply interested though 
the little woman was in the yarns Jack spun, 
therefore she said as she began to collect the 
soiled dishes, — 

“Now if you will take care of the baby I’ll 
have the kitchen cleaned in a twinkling, and then 
we’ll go out under the big oak-tree where I love 
to sit when the sun is painting the clouds in the 
west with red and gold.” 

“ Louis can take care of himself if we put him 
on the floor,” Jack replied, “and I will dry the 
dishes for you ; I’ve done it lots of times on the 
‘ Atlanta.’ ” 

The little woman could not refuse this prof- 
fered aid, although she looked very much as if 
she fancied the work would not be done exactly 
to her satisfaction, and after glancing at Jack’s 
hands to make certain they were perfectly clean, 
she began operations. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


Much to her surprise, the deformed boy was 
very apt at such tasks, and Aunt Nancy said as she 
looked over her spectacles at him while he care- 
fully dried one of her best China cups, — 

“Well I declare! If you ain’t the first boy I 
ever saw who was fit to live with an old maid 
like me. You are handier than half the girls I 
have here when the summer boarders come, and if 
you could only milk a cow we should get along 
famously.” 

“It wouldn’t take me long to learn,” Jack said 
quickly ; for he was eager to assist the little lady 
as much as possible, having decided in his own 
mind that this would be a very pleasant abiding 
place for himself and Louis until the weather 
should be cooler, when the tramp to New York 
could be continued with less discomfort. “If 
you’d show me how once I’m sure I’d soon find 
out, and — ” 

“It won’t do any harm to try at all events,” 
Aunt Nancy replied thoughtfully; “but the cow 
hasn’t come home yet, and there’s plenty of time.” 

When the dishes were washed and set carefully 
away in the cupboard, the little woman explain- 
ing to her assistant Avhere each particular article 
of crockery belonged, Jack began to sweep the 
already painfully clean floor. Aunt Nancy wiped 


Jack the Hunchback. 


^5 

with a damp towel imaginary specks of dirt from 
the furniture, and Louis, as if realizing the impor- 
tance of Avinning the affections of his hostess, laid 
his head on the rag rug and closed his eyes in 
slumber before the work of putting the kitchen 
to rights was finished. 

“ Dear little baby ! I suppose he’s all tired out,” 
Aunt Nancy said as she took him in her arms, 
leaving to Jack the important duty of folding one 
of her best damask tablecloths, a task which, 
under other circumstances, she would not have 
trusted to her most intimate friend. “ I’m not very 
handy Avith children, but it seems as if I ought 
to be able to undress tliis one.” 

‘‘ Of course you can. All there is to do is 
unbutton the things an’ pull them off.” 

Aunt Nancy was by no means as aAvkAvard at 
such work as she would have her guest believe. 

In a few moments she had uncbessed Louis 
without awakening him, and clothed him for the 
night in one of her bedgowns, which, as a matter 
of course, was much too long, but so strongly 
scented with lavender that Jack felt positive the 
child could not fail to sleep sweetly and soundly. 

Then laying him in the centre of a rest-inviting 
bed which was covered with the most intricate of 
patchwork quilts, in a room on the ground-floor 


Jack the Hanchhack. 


26 

that overlooked the lane and the hig oak-tree, they 
left him with a smile on his lips, as if the angels 
had already begun to weave dream-pictures for 
liim. 

Aunt Nancy led the way out through the “fore- 
room,” and, that Jack might see the beauties it 
contained, she opened one of the shutters, allow- 
ing the rays of the setting sun to fall upon the 
pictures of two of the dead and gone Curtis 
family, an impossible naval engagement colored in 
the most gorgeous style, two vases filled with 
alum-encrusted grasses, and a huge crockery 
rooster with unbending feathers of evey hue. 

This last-named ornament particularly attracted 
Jack’s attention, and during fully five minutes he 
stood gazing at it in silent admiration, but without 
daring to ask if he could take the brilliantly 
painted bird in his hands. 

“Handsome, isn’t it?” Aunt Nancy asked, 
turning her head slowly from side to side while 
she critically viewed the combination of colors 
much as if she had never seen them before. 

“ Its perfectly splendid ! ” 

“ I’m glad you like it. I think a great deal of 
him; too much to allow a live rooster on the 
place crowing around when he can’t. It was 
presented to me in my girlhood days by a young 


Jack the Hunchback. 


27 

gentleman whom every one thought was destined 
to be an ornament in the world; but — ” 

Aunt Nancy paused. Her thoughts had gone 
trooping down the dusty avenues of the past, and 
after waiting fully a moment Jack asked, — 

“ Where is the young gentleman now ? ” 

“I don’t know,” was the reply sandwiched 
between two sobs, and then Aunt Nancy became 
her old self once more. 

She closed the shutters carefully, waved her 
apron in the air to frighten away any over-bold 
dust specks, and the two went out on the long, 
velvety lane that the little woman might admire 
the glories of the setting sun. 


^8 


Jack the Hunchback. 


Chapter III. 

LEAR^^ING TO MILK. 

A LOW bench painted green and fastened 
against the trunk of the old oak, that there 
might be no possibility of its being overturned, 
was the place where Aunt Nancy told Jack she 
spent the pleasant summer evenings. 

“ Except where there are caterpillars around,” 
she added, ‘‘and then I carry the rocking-chair 
to the stone doorstep. If you could kill cater- 
pillars, Jack, you would be doing the greatest 
possible favor, for they certainly make my life 
wretched at times, although I don’t know why a 
person should be afraid of anything God has made.” 

“Oh, I can kill ’em,” Jack replied confidently. 
“ Bring on your caterpillars when you want ’em 
killed, an’ I’ll fix the job. There ain’t any trouble 
about that.” 

“ But I don’t want to bring them on,” Aunt 
Nancy said, hesitatingly. “ I never like to touch 
the little crawling things, and you will have to 
do that part of the work.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“ I’ll see to it,” Jack replied, and believing she 
would be free in the future from the pests which 
interfered with her twilight pleasures. Aunt 
Nancy’s face took on an expression of complete 
satisfaction. 

“ Now let’s talk about yourself and the baby,” 
she said. “ You must not attempt to walk to 
New York while this hot weather lasts, and it 
would cost a power of money to go there on the 
cars.” 

“I know it,” Jack replied with a sigh, “but so 
long as there isn’t a cent between us, I guess we’ll 
have to foot it.” 

“ I’ve been thinking why you shouldn’t stay 
here a spell. You make yourself so handy about 
the house that I sha’n’t mind the extra trouble 
with the baby, and there are times while the 
summer boarders are here when I do need a boy 
very badly.” 

“ That’s just what I’d like,” and Jack spoke 
emphatically. “ If you’ll let us stay two or three 
weeks I’ll jjay my way in work, an’ see that Louis 
don’t bother you.” 

“ I believe that will be the best way out of it. 
The summer boarders are to come in two or 
three weeks. Before then I’ll write to my 
brother Abner, in Binghamton, who’ll be sure 


30 


Jack the Hmichhack, 


to know about Capt. Littlefield, and perhaps 
lie can make some arrangement for your pas- 
sage.” 

“ Where’s Binghamton ? ” Jack asked in per- 
plexity. 

“ Why, it’s in York State. I ain’t certain how 
near to the big city, but of course it can’t be very 
far away. Abner’s a master hand at readin’, so if 
he don’t happen to know Capt. Littlefield as a 
friend, he’d be sure to have heard of him. AVhen 
he was home here he was acquainted with every- 
body for fifty miles around. He could tell you 
who each man married, how many children they 
had, and kept the run of everything that hap- 
pened in the neighborhood. I used to say 
Abner minded other people’s business better than 
his own, and that was his fault,” she added with a 
sigh. “ But we all of us have our faults, and it’s 
never right to speak about those of another before 
we have fairly weighed our own. He’s the one, 
though, to find the baby’s father, so you needn’t 
have any further trouble regarding it ; but wait 
till we get a letter from him.” 

Jack was not as confident as Aunt Nancy 
appeared to be that this “brother Abner” would 
know all the people in New York; but he was 
more than content to remain where he was for 


Jack the Hunchback, 


31 


a certain length of time in the hope of being 
able to reach the city in some less laborious way 
than by walking. 

Then Aunt Nancy told him about herself, and 
of the farm which had belonged to her father, 
but descended to her at his death, because Abner 
was unwilling to spend his time on land so un- 
productive that the severest labor failed to bring 
forth a remunerative crop. 

“It isn’t very good. I’ll admit,” she said re- 
flectively; “but by taking a few summer boarders 
Tve been able to make both ends meet, and that’s 
all an old maid like me ought to expect.” 

“ Have you always lived alone ? ” 

“It’s nigh on to twelve years since father died, 
and, excepting in the summer, I’ve had neither child 
nor chick here. An old woman ain’t pleasant 
company at the best, and if Abner’s daughters don’t 
like to visit their aunt, I can’t say I blame them.” 

“Well I do!” Jack said decidedly. “I think 
you’re the nicest old lady I ever saw, and I’d be 
willin’ to stay here all the time if I could.” 

Aunt Nancy was not accustomed to flattery; 
but it must be admitted, from the expression on 
her wrinkled face, that it was far from unpleas- 
ant, and by way of reward she patted Jack on 
the head almost affectionately. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


32 


“Perhaps you won’t think so after a while,” 
she said with a smile; and then as Jack wiis 
about to make protestations, she added, “ it’s 
time to go after the cow, and then I’ll give you 
the first lesson in milking.” 

The farm was not so large that it required 
many moments to reach the pasture, for the old 
lady had only to walk to the rear of the barn 
where the crumple-horned cow was standing at 
the end of a narrow lane awaiting her coming. 

As the animal stepped carefully over the bars 
after they had been let down. Jack could not help 
thinking she was just such a cow as one would 
fancy should belong to Aunt Nancy. 

She walked in a dainty manner, acting almost 
as if trying not to bring any unnecessary amount 
of dirt into the barnyard, and behaving in every 
way as one would say her mistress might under 
similar circumstances. 

“ While I go for the milking pail you pull 
some clover from under the trees, for she always 
expects a lunch while being milked,” Aunt Nancy 
said ; and in a few moments J ack had gathered 
such a feast as caused the sedate animal to toss 
her head in disapprobation at the unusually large 
amount she was expected to devour after having 
been cropping pasture grass all day. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


With a pail which had been scoured until it 
shone like silver, and a tiny three-legged stool, 
white as the floor of her kitchen, the little woman 
returned. 

Then with many a “ Co, Bossy ! So, Bossy ! ” 
as if the quiet-looking animal was expected to 
give way to the most violent demonstrations of 
wrath. Aunt Nancy placed the stool in the most 
advantageous position, and said, as she seated 
herself, — 

“Now watch me a few minutes, and you’ll see 
how easy it is after getting the knack.” 

Jack gazed intently at every movement, his 
eyes opened wide with astonishment as the streams 
of milk poured into the pail with a peculiar 
“swish,” and before the creamy foam had fully 
covered the bottom he was quite positive it would 
be no difficult matter for him to perform the same 
operation. 

“ I can do it now, if you’ll get up.” 

Aunt Nancy vacated the stool without hesita- 
tion, for milking seemed such a simple matter that 
there was no question in her mind hut that it 
could be learned in one very short lesson, and 
Jack sat down. 

Tlie cow looked around at this change of 
attendants, but was too well-bred to express any 


2^ Jack the Hunchback, 

great amount of surprise, and the hunchback took 
hold of what appeared like so many fat fingers. 

Fancying that strength alone was necessary, he 
pulled most vigorously. 

Not a drop of milk came ; but he accomplished 
something, for the animal tossed her head impa- 
tiently. 

Jack pulled harder the second time, and then, 
as Aunt Nancy screamed loudly, the cow started 
at full speed for the other side of the yard, facing 
about there at the boy whom she believed was 
tormenting her wilfully, while she shook her head 
in a menacing manner. 

Fortunately the milk-pail was not overturned; 
but in preventing such a catastrophe. Jack rolled 
from the stool to the ground with no gentle force, 
terrified quite as much by Aunt Nancy’s screams 
as b}^ the sudden movement of old crumple- 
horn. 

“ Why, what’s the matter ? ” he asked, as he 
scrambled to his feet, looking first at his hostess, 
and then at the frightened animal. 

“ I ought to have known a boy couldn’t milk,” 
Aunt Nancy said impatiently and almost angrily. 
“It seems as if they have a faculty of hurting 
dumb beasts.” 

“ But I didn’t mean to,” Jack said apologeti- 


Jack the Hunchback. 


35 


cally. “ I worked just as you did, and pulled 
a good deal harder, but yet the milk wouldn’t 
come.” 

Aunt Nancy made no reply. 

Taking up the pail and stool she walked across 
the yard, trying to soothe the cow in the pecidiar 
language she had used when beginning the task ; 
and Jack, understanding that he had hurt the 
feelings of both his hostess and her pet, followed 
contritely, as he said coaxingly, — 

“ Please let me try it once more. I am certain 
I can do it if you’ll give me another chance.” 

It was not until Aunt Nancy had led the cow 
back to the pile of clover, and there stroked her 
head and ears until she was ready to resume the 
rudely interrupted feast, that any attention was 
paid to Jack’s entreaties. 

“ I’ll show you once more,” she finally said, 
“ and you must watch to see exactly how I move 
my fingers. It isn’t the pulling that brings the 
milk, but the pressure of the hand.” 

This time Jack paid strict attention, and in a 
few moments began to fancy he had discovered 
what Aunt Nancy called the “ knack.” 

But she would not relinquish her seat. 

“ Take hold with one hand while I stay here, 
and be careful not to hurt the poor creature.” 


36 


Jack the Hunchback. 


Very' tenderly Jack made the second attempt, 
and was so successful as to extract at least a 
dozen drops from the well-filled udder. 

This was sufficient, however, to show him what 
should be done, even though he was at first unable 
to perform the task, and, thanks to Aunt Nancy’s 
patience, and the gentleness of the animal, before 
the milking was brought to a close, he had so far 
mastered the lesson as to win from his teacher a 
limited amount of praise. 

“ I don’t know as I should expect you to learn 
at once,” she said ; “ but you are getting along so 
well that by to-morrow night I wouldn’t be sur- 
prised if you could do it alone. Now I’ll go 
and strain the milk, and you may split me a little 
kindling wood if you will. Somehow I have 
never been able to use an axe without danger of 
cutting my feet, and it’s almost like tempting 
Providence to take one in my hands.” 

Jack did as he was bidden, and although the 
axe was decidedly rusty and very blunt, to say 
nothing of its being shaky in the helve, before she 
finished taking care of the milk he had such a 
pile of kindlings as would have cost her a week’s 
labor to prepare. 

“Well!” the little woman said as she came 
from the cool cellar and surveyed the fruits of his 


Jack the Hunchback. 


37 


industry, “ if you can’t do anything else on a farm 
hut that, it’ll be a wonderful relief to me. An 
axe is such a dangerous instrument that I always 
tremble when I touch one.” 

Jack looked at the ancient tool (which could 
hardly have inflicted any injury unless one 
chanced to drop it on his toes) with a smile, 
but said nothing, and after Aunt Nancy had 
shown him how to fasten the wood-shed door 
with a huge latch that any burglar over four feet 
tall could have raised, she led the way into the 
house. 

The milking pail was to be washed, a solitary 
moth which had found its way into the kitchen 
was to be killed lest he should do some damage 
to the rag carpet, and Aunt Nancy lighted a candle 
with a solemn air. 

“ This is the last work of the day,” she said, 
“and perhaps I attach too much importance to it, 
but I never allow myself to go to bed without 
making sure there’s no one hidden in the house. 
We’ll examine the upper part first, and after that 
has been done I will show you a cliamber which 
you can have until the summer boarders come. 
Then we must make different arrangements, for 
the house is so small that I’m terribly put to it 
for room.” 


38 


Jack the Hunchback. 


Jack followed the little woman up the back 
stairs, and each of the four apartments was sub- 
jected to the most rigid scrutiny, the boy holding 
the candle while Aunt Nancy not only peered 
under the beds and behind the bureaus, but even 
opened the tiniest closets in search of a supposed 
intruder. 

“We are safe for another day,” she said with a 
long-drawn sigh of relief, “ and after looking 
through the fore-room once more I’ll lock the 
doors.” 

There was such an air of responsibility about 
the little woman that Jack, not fully understand- 
ing what she expected to find, immediately con- 
ceived the idea that peaceful though this portion 
of the country appeared, it must be a very dan- 
gerous neighborhood, for his hostess could not 
have taken more precautions had it been known 
positively that a band of Indians were lurking in 
the vicinity. 

Nothing more alarming than the moth was 
found, however, and after the window fastenings 
had been carefully examined. Aunt Nancy led the 
way back to tlie kitchen, where she once more 
surprised lier guest by taking down the well-worn 
Bible. 

In a thin, quavering voice she read therefrom a 


Jack the Hunchback . 


39 


certain number of verses in which she seemed to 
find the greatest satisfaction, and then replaced 
the book reverentially on the stand appropriated 
to its keeping. 

Then, to Jack’s further surprise, she knelt by 
the side of the chair and began a simple but 
heartfelt prayer, while the boy nestled around 
uneasily, not certain whether it was proper for 
him to stand up, or follow her example, therefore 
he remained where he was. 

When the evening devotions had been brought 
to a close, he felt decidedly uncomfortable in mind, 
but did not think it advisable to expose his igno- 
rance by asking the little woman what he should 
have done. 

“Now we’ll go to bed,” Aunt Nancy said as she 
arose to her feet with such a look of faith on her 
wrinkled face as reminded the boy of pictures he 
had seen. 

Without a word he followed her upstairs to a 
small room directly over the kitchen, which, how- 
ever contracted it might seem to others, was 
twice as large as he needed when compared with 
his quarters on board the “ Atlanta.” 

Then, as if her aim was to astonish and be- 
wilder him on this first evening. Aunt Nancy 
kissed him on both cheeks as she said “ Good 
night,” and left him to his own reflections. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


UO 


Chapter IV. 


PURSUED. 

It was a long while before slumber visited 
Jack’s eyelids on tliis first night spent at the farm. 

To have found such a pleasant resting place 
after his experience at Farmer Pratt’s, and when 
the best he had expected was to be allowed to 
remain until morning, was almost bewildering ; at 
the same time the friendly manner in which the 
kindly faced old lady treated him made a deep 
impression on his heart. 

During full}^ an hour he speculated as to how it 
would be possible for him to reach New York with 
Louis, and, not being able to arrive at any satis- 
factory conclusion, he decided that that matter at 
least could safely be left in Aunt Nancy’s care. 

Then, all anxiety as to the immediate future 
having been dissipated, he thought of various 
ways by which he could lighten the little woman’s 
labors. 

He laid plans for making himself so useful about 
the farm that she would be repaid for her care of 


Jack the Hunchback. 


hi 

Louis, and these ideas were in his mind when he 
crossed the border of di*eamland, where, until 
nearly daybreak, he tried to milk diminutive cows, 
or struggled to carry enormous tin pails. 

Desjiite his disagreeable di-eams, the sleep was 
refreshing, and when the first glow of dawn 
appeared in the eastern sky he was aroused b}^ the 
sound of Aunt Nancy’s voice from the foot of the 
stairs. 

Jack’s first waking thought was a continuation 
of the last on the night previous, and, dressing 
hurriedly, he ran down to the kitchen to begin 
the labor which he intended should make him 
a desirable member of the family. 

To his great disappointment the fire had been 
built, Louis dressed, and the morning’s work well 
advanced when he entered the room. 

“Why didn’t you call me before?” he asked 
reproachfully. “ I meant to. have done all this 
while you were asleep ; but I laid awake so long 
last night that it didn’t seem possible for my eyes 
to open.” 

“ I am accustomed to doing these things for my- 
self,” Aunt Nancy replied with a kindly smile, 
“ and don’t mind it one bit, especially when the 
kindlings have been prepared. I got up a little 
earlier than usual because 1 was afraid there might 




Jack the Hunchback. 


be some trouble about dressing the baby ; but he’s 
just as good a child as can be, and seems right 
well contented here.” 

“ It would be funny if he wasn’t,” Jack replied 
as he took Louis in his arms for the morning 
greeting. 

There was a shade of sorrow in his heart 
because the child evinced no desire to remain 
with him, but scrambled out of his arms at the 
first opportunity to toddle toward Aunt Nancy, 
who ceased her work of brushing imaginary dirt 
from the floor in order to kiss the little fellow as 
tenderly as a mother could have done. 

“ It seems as if he’d got all through with me,” 
Jack said sorrowfully. “ I believe he likes you 
the best now.” 

“ Don’t be jealous, my boy. It’s only natural 
the child should cling to a woman when he can ; 
but that doesn’t signify he has lost any affection 
for you. It is time old crumple-horn was milked, 
and we’ll take Louis with us so he won’t get into 
mischief. I’m going to give you another lesson 
this morning.” 

Jack made a vain effort to repress the sigh 
which would persist in coming to his lips as the 
baby crowed with delight when the little woman 
lifted hini in her arms, and taking the milking 


Jack the Hunchback. JfJ 

pail, he led the way out through the dewy grass to 
the barnyard, where the cow stood looking over the 
rails as if wondering why Aunt Nancy was so late. 

Jack insisted that he could milk without any 
further instructions, and, after gathering an arm- 
ful of the sweet-scented clover, he set boldly to 
work while Aunt Nancy and Louis watched him 
from the other side of the fence. 

This time his efforts were crowned with success, 
and although he did not finish the task as quickly 
as the little woman could have done it, by the 
aid of a few hints from her he had drawn the last 
drop of milk into the pail before the cow began 
to show signs of impatience. 

Then Aunt Nancy and Louis returned to the 
house while Jack drove the meek-eyed animal to 
the pasture, and when this was done he searched 
the shed for a rake. 

He succeeded in finding one with not more than 
half the teeth missing, and began to scrape up the 
sticks and dried leaves from the lane, a work which 
was well calculated to yet further win the confi- 
dence of the neat little mistress of the farm. 

When the morning meal was served. Jack had 
so far become accustomed to Aunt Nancy’s ways 
that he bowed his head without being prompted, 
while she asked a blessing. 


Jack the Hunchback. 




After breakfast was concluded the hunchback 
proceeded to put into execution the plan formed 
on the night previous. 

“ If you’ll tell me what to do I’ll go to work as 
soon as the lane is cleaned, an’ that won’t take a 
long while. I s’pose there’s plenty to be done.” 

“ Yes,” Aunt Nancy replied with a sigh, 
“ there’s a great deal of work which a woman 
can’t do ; but I don’t know as a boy like you 
would be able to get along any better than I.” 

“ There won’t be any harm in tryin’,” Jack said 
manfully. “ Tell me what it is you want.” 

“ W ell, the pasture fence is broken in several 
places, and I was thinking of getting Daniel 
Chick to come an’ fix it ; but perhaps you 
might patch the breaks up so’s a cow couldn’t 
get out.” 

“ Of coui*se I can. It ain’t much of a job if 
you’ve got nails an’ a hammer. I’ll tackle it as 
soon as the lane is finished.” 

Aunt Nancy explained that the fence to which 
she referred bordered the road a short distance 
above the house, and Jack was so impatient to 
begin the labor that, contrary to his usual custom, 
he took a hurried leave of Louis. 

An hour was sufficient in which to finish the 
self-imposed task on the lane, and then, with a 


Jack the Hunchback, 


4^5 


very shaky hammer and a handful of rusty nails, 
he set out to repair the fence, leaving Louis play- 
ing in the kitchen with the gorgeous crockery 
rooster, while Aunt Nancy was busily engaged 
setting the house to rights generally. 

The scene of Jack’s first attempt at fence build- 
ing was fully an eighth of a mile away, and in a 
clump of alder-bushes which shut off all view of 
the house. 

It was by no means a simple task which he 
found before him. 

The posts had so far decayed that an expert 
workman would have considered it necessary to 
replace them with new timbers ; but since this 
was beyond his skill, he set about mending it 
after his own fashion. 

It must not be supposed that Jack loved to 
work better than does any other boy ; but he be- 
lieved it was necessary for him to remain with Aunt 
Nancy until such time as he could find an oppor- 
tunity of continuing the journey in some more 
rapid manner than by walking, and the desire to 
make himself useful about the farm was so great 
that labor ceased to be a hardship. 

He had been engaged in this rather difficult 
task fully an hour, paying little or no attention 
to anything save the work in hand, when the 


Jack the Hunchback. 


J,6 

rattle of wheels on the hard road attracted his 
notice. 

Up to this time no person had passed in either 
direction, and it was from curiosity rather than 
any idea the approaching travellers might be con- 
nected with his fortunes, that he peered out from 
among tlie alder-bushes. 

Immediately he drew back in alarm. 

He liad seen, coming directly toward him in a 
lumbering old wagon and hardly more than a 
hundred yards away. Farmer Pratt and his son 
Tom. 

“ They’re huntin’ for me ! ” he said to himself 
as he crept farther among the bushes to conceal 
himself from view, and a secure hiding place had 
hardly been gained when the travellers came to a 
full stop at the little brook which ran on the 
opposite side of the road, in order to give their 
horse some water. 

As a matter of fact F aimer Pratt wa% in search 
of the two who had left his house so unceremoni- 
ously; but now he had no intention of taking 
them to the poorhouse. 

Quite by accident a copy of a newspaper con- 
taining an account of the explosion on board the 
“Atlanta,” and the information that Mrs. Littlefield 
would remain in PoHland in the hope of gaining 


Jack the Hunchback. Ji7 

some information regarding her child, had come 
into his hands, and it did not require much study 
on his part to undei-stand that in the greed to 
possess himself of the boat by ridding himself of 
the children, he had lost the opportunity of earn- 
ing a valuable reward. 

There was a stormy time in the Pratt household 
when this fact became known, and even Master 
Tom came in for more than his full share of the 
scolding because the children had been allowed to 
go away. 

“It would have been as good as a hundred 
dollars in my pocket if I could have lugged them 
youngsters into town,” the farmer repeated over 
and over again as he blamed first his wife and 
then his son for what was really his own fault. 
“ I thought a boat worth twenty dollars would be 
a mighty big haul for one mornin’, but here was 
a show of gettin’ five times as much jest by 
boldin’ them two over night, an’ you had to let 
’em slip through your fingers.” 

Farmer Pratt dwelt upon this unpleasant fact 
until he finally convinced himself that he would 
have acted the part of a good Samaritan had the 
opportunity not been denied him, and very early on 
this same morning he started out for the purpose 
of earning the reward by finding the castaways. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


iS 

Jack, crouching among the hushes where he 
could distinguish the movements of those whom he 
considered his enemies, heard the farmer say, while 
the half-fed horse was quenching his thirst, — 

“ I reckon we’ve got a day’s work before us, all 
on account of you an’ your mother, for that hunch- 
hack couldn’t have walked as far with the baby. 
Most likely he found some one who gave him a 
lift on the road. The chances are he’s in Bidde- 
ford by this time, other folks have heard the 
whole story.” 

Tom made no reply, probably because he feared 
to say anything which miglit again call forth a 
flood of reproach, and his father added, — 

“ I reckon our best way will be to push right 
on to town instead of huntin’ along the road as 
we’ve been doin’. Time is gettin’ mighty short 
if we Avant to catch him before people know Avhat 
has liappened.” 

The farmer Avas so impatient to arrive at the 
city that the horse Avas urged on before his thirst 
Avas fully quenched, and as the noise of the Avheels 
told that the briefly interrupted journey had been 
resumed. Jack crept cautiously out from among 
the bushes to Avhere he could Avatch the move- 
ments of the travellers until they should have 
passed Aunt Nancy’s farm. 


Jack the Hunchback. J^O 

As may be supposed, he was thoroughly 
alarmed. 

That which he heard convinced him beyond a 
doubt the farmer was searching for him, and there 
was no question in his mind hut that it was for 
the sole and only purpose of carrying him and 
Louis to the poor farm. 

“ I s’pose Aunt Nancy would up an’ tell the 
whole story if they should ask her,” he muttered, 
“ an’ then I’d have to come out an’ go along with 
’em, ’cause I wouldn’t let that man carry Louis off 
alone.” 

The color came back to his cheeks, however, 
and the throbbing of his heart was lessened as he 
saw the wagon wheel past the lane without either 
of its occupants making any move toward calling 
at the house. 

Most likely neither Aunt Nancy nor Louis were 
in the yard, and Farmer Pratt was so eager to 
reach the town Avhere he believed the children to 
he, that, as he had intimated, there was no further 
stop to he made along the road. 

But Jack’s mind was far from being relieved 
even after the clumsy vehicle had passed out of 
sight, for he knew tlie farmer would return, failing 
to gain any information of those he was so anxious 
to find, and he might think it worth his while to 
call at Aunt Nancy’s. 


60 


Jack the Hunchback. 


Jack had now lost all interest in his work, and 
seated himself near the fence trying to decide 
whether he would he warranted in leaving the 
teinj^orary home he had found,, to take refuge in 
flight. 

Tliis he might have done on the impulse of the 
moment hut for the restraining thought that it 
would he in the highest degree dangerous to travel 
in either direction on the road, and to make his 
way through the fields and woods w^as a matter of 
impossibility, since he had no idea of the proper 
course to be pursued. 

“ I don’t s’pose Aunt Nancy’d lie even to save 
us from goin’ to the poor farm,” he said aloud to 
himself ; “ but if she would, I’d hide out in the 
bushes with Louis till I was sure that man had 
got through huntin’ after us, ’cause he can’t keep 
tliis thing up all summer.” 

This was by far the best plan Jack could devise 
for the baby’s safety, and yet it seemed hardly 
possible it would be carried into execution because 
of tlie probable unwillingness of Aunt Nancy to 
so much as equivocate. 

After thinking the matter over fully tAvent}" 
minutes Avithout arriving at any other eonclusion 
which promised the slightest hope of escape from 
his pui'suers, he decided to boldl}" ask the little 


Jack the Hunchback, 


61 


woman if she would promise, in case Mr. Pratt 
should call upon her, to say that she had seen 
neither of her guests. 

“ She can’t any more’n get mad at it, an’ if she 
won’t agree then I’ll take the risk of startin’ off 
once more , hut it’s goin’ to he pretty tough on 
both of us.” 

There was yet considerable work to be done in 
the way of fence building ; hut now Jack had no 
idea of continuing the labor. 

He was so agitated that the shaky hammer lay 
unheeded on the ground where it had fallen when 
he first saw the travellers, and the nails were left 
to gather a yet thicker coat of rust as he made his 
way up through the line of hushes to approach the 
house from the rear, not daring to go boldly 
around by the road. 


52 


Jack the Hunchback. 


Chapter V. 

AN ENCOUNTER. 

Believing his only enemies were those whom 
he had seen driving up the road, Jack paid no at- 
tention to anything in front of him, save when it 
was absolutely necessary in order to guide his 
footsteps, but kept his eyes fixed upon the dusty 
highway. 

Owing to the straggling line of bushes, he was 
forced to make a wide detour to reach the barn 
unseen by any travellers, and he had not traveled 
more than half the required distance when a loud 
cry from a clump of alders which bordered the 
duck pond caused him to come to a full stop. 

“ Hello, Hunchie ! What are you doin’ here ? ” 

Jack looked up quickly in alarm, fancying the 
voice sounded like Tom Pratt’s, and for an instant 
believed his pursuers had apparently continued 
their journey only for the purpose of taking him 
by surprise in the rear. 

There Avas no person in sight, hoAvever, and 
during a feAV seconds he stood motionless, trying 


Jack the Hunchback, 


63 


to decide whether it would be safest to run 
directly toward the farmhouse, or attempt to 
make his escape through the fields. 

Then the question was repeated, and before 
Jack could have fled, had he been so disposed, 
three boys came out from among the alders, 
approaching very near as if to prevent flight on 
the part of the hunchback. 

“ Who are you ? ” one of the strangers asked, 
“an’ where did you come from?” 

' “I’m Jack Dudley.” 

“Where do you live?” 

“ I’m stayin’ over to Aunt Nancy Curtis’s 
awhile,” Jack replied hesitatingly, doubtful if it 
would be well to give these not over-friendly 
looking boys all the information they desired. 

“What are you doin’ there?” another of the 
party asked. 

“Helpin’ ’round at whatever she wants done 
till the summer boarders go away.” 

“ Oh ! So you’re the hired man, are you ? ” the 
first boy said in a sneering tone. 

“ I ain’t so very much of a man ; but I reckon I 
can do her work, an’ I mustn’t fool ’round here, 
for I’m pretty busy this mornin’.” 

“You’ll stay till we find out what right 
you’ve got to run across this field,” the boy who 


Jack the Hunchback. 


5J^ 

had first spoken said decidedly. “We’ve always 
done Aunt Nancy’s chores, an’ you’re makin’a big 
mistake by takin’ our job away.” 

Jack looked once more toward the road to make 
certain Farmer Pratt and bis son were not return- 
ing. 

Then be glanced in the direction of the bouse, 
hoping Aunt Nancy might be in sight, for be 
understood from the tone and attitude of the 
strangem that they were bent on mischief. 

Not a person could be seen, and be bad no other 
alternative save to remain where be was until 
such time as the boys should be willing to let him 
pass. 

Any attempt at flight could have been easily 
checked, since, owing to bis deformity, be was not 
able to run as fast as others of his age. 

Probably be felt just a trifle frightened ; but be 
stood his ground boldly, determined not to let the 
strangers see a show of weakness, as be said, — 

“I didn’t come here to take any feller’s job. 
Aunt Nancy gave me a chance to stay this sum- 
mer, an’ I jumped at it, ’cause there’s no boy needs 
a home more’n I do jest now.” 

“Well, see here, Huncbie,” the elder of the 
party replied in a threatening tone, “we don’t 
know bow much you need a home, nor we don’t 


Jack the Hunchhaek. 


care ; but there’s one thing certain, you ain’t goin’ 
to stay ’round here this summer. Us fellers can 
do all Aunt Nancy’s chores an’ a good deal more. 
The job belongs to us. If you say you’ll leave 
before night, it’ll be all right, an’ if not, we’ll 
thump the life out of you.” 

“ Perhaps that can’t be done,” Jack said calmly, 
with an assumption of courage which was far from 
natural. 

“ Last summer there was a feller come snoopin’ 
’round to help on the summer-boarder business, 
but he soon found it wasn’t safe to steal jobs from 
them as lives here the whole year. We jest about 
killed him.” 

“ Why didn’t you stuif his skin an’ set it up 
on the road here, so’s other fellers would know 
enough not to stop ? ” Jack asked in a sarcastic 
tone as he stepped back a few paces toward a 
thicker clump of bushes, where it would be impos- 
sible for the strangers to make an attack from the 
rear. “ You can’t be any tougher than you look, 
an’ I guess I’ll be able to keep on livin’ till 
summer’s over, even if I do stay.” 

“ Does that mean you ain’t goin’ to leave ? ” 
And the boy advanced threateningly with clinched 
fists until he stood within a few inches of the 
deformed lad, who now understood that a fight 
was inevitable. 


56 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“It’s pretty nigh the size of it,” Jack replied; 
and despite all efforts, his voice trembled slightly, 
for he knew full well it would be impossible to 
hold his own against three bullies. “ But before 
beginnin’ the row I want you to understand one 
thing : if I don’t work for somebody, I’ve got to 
live out of doors, for I haven’t a cent. I ain’t 
sayin’ but the three of you can lick me, of course, 
but you’ll have to do it every day in the week 
before I’ll leave this farm.” 

Perhaps the bully was a trifle ashamed for 
threatening one so much smaller than himself, and 
deformed, for, instead of immediately striking a 
blow as at first had seemed to be his purpose, he 
drew back a few paces to hold a whispered con- 
sultation with his companions, after which he 
said, — 

“ Look here, Ilunchie, we’re willin’ to give you 
a show, but won’t allow no fellers ’round takin’ 
away money we could earn as well as not. Aunt 
Nancy’s always hired us to do her chores when 
tlie city folks was here, till she got that feller 
last year, an’ then the old fool said she’d never 
pay us another cent jest ’cause we didn’t jump 
spry enough to please lier. Now we’re goin’ to 
show that it’s got to be us or nobody. We’re 
willin’ to wait till to-morrow night if you say 


Jack the Hunchback. 


57 


you’ll go then. There’s plenty of jobs up Old 
Orchard way, so there ain’t any need of your 
feedin’ on wind.” 

“ Why don’t you go there?” 

“ ’Cause we don’t want to. This is where we 
live, an’ anything that’s to be done ’round here 
belongs to us. Now cross your throat that you’ll 
leave before to-morrow night, an’ we won’t say 
another word.” 

“I’ll go an’ see what Aunt Nancy thinks about 
it,” Jack replied, not with any intention of obey- 
ing these peremptory demands, but in order to 
escape from what was a very awkward predica- 
ment. 

“You won’t do anything of the kind ! Promise 
before leavin’ this place or we’ll thump you ! ” 

“ Then thump away, for I won’t go,” Jack 
replied determinedly as he backed still farther 
into the bushes and prepared to defend himself as 
best he might against such an overwhelming 
force, although knowing there was no question 
but that he would receive a severe whipping. 

“ Give it to him, Bill ! ” the boys in the rear 
cried. “You can polish him off with one hand, 
so there’s no need of our chippin’ in.” 

Bill did not wait for further encouragement. 

Jack’s defence was necessarily very slight, and 


58 


Jack the Hunchback. 


before he was able to strike a blow in his own 
behalf, Bill had him on the ground, pounding him 
unmercifully, while his companions viewed the 
scene with evident satisfaction. 

Jack made no outcry: first, because he feared 
that by bringing Aunt Nancy on the scene the fact 
of Louis’s being at the farm would be made known ; 
and, secondly, he fancied Farmer Pratt might be 
near enough to hear his appeals for help. 

Therefore he submitted to the cruel and un- 
called-for punishment without a word, although 
every blow caused severe pain, and when Bill had 
pummelled him for fully five minutes the other 
boys interrupted by saying, — 

“ Come, let up on him ! That’s enough for the 
first, an’ if he ain’t out of' town by to-morrow we’ll 
give him another dose. Let’s cool him off in the 
pond.” 

Jack struggled in vain against this last indig- 
nity. It was a simple matter for the tliree boys to 
lift and throw him half a dozen feet from the bank 
into the muddy water. 

There was no danger the little fellow would be 
drowned, for the duck pond was not more than two 
feet deep, and as his assailants ran hurriedly away 
he scrambled out, presenting a sorry sight as he 
stood on the firm ground once more with mud and 


Jack the Huncliback. 


59 


water dripping from liis face and every angle of 
his garments. 

flack was as sore in mind as he was in body ; hut 
even while making his way toward the house he 
did not neglect any precautions which might pre- 
vent his being seen by Farmer Pratt. 

lie skirted around through the straggling line 
of alders until he reached the rear of the barn, 
and then, coming across crumple-horn’s yard, he 
was confronted by Aunt Nancy, who had just 
emerged from the shed. 

“ For mercy’s sake ! ” tlie little woman screamed, 
raising her hands in dismay as she surveyed the 
woe-begone Jack, who looked more like a misshapen 
[)illar of mud than a hoy. “ Where have you 
been, and what have you done to yourself ? It 
strange that hoj^s ivill be forever mussing in the dirt. 
I thought I’d had some had ones here, hut you 
beat anything I ever saw ! Why, you must have 
been rolling in the pond to get yourself in such a 
condition.” 

“Yes, ma’am, I have,” Jack replied meekly as 
he again tried to brush the mud from his face, hut 
only succeeded in grinding it in more deeply. 

“What’s the matter with your nose? It’s 
bleeding ! ” Aunt Nancy screamed in her excite- 
ment; while Louis, who was sitting on the grass 


60 


Jack the Hunchback. 


near the broad doorstep, crowed and laughed as if 
fancying she was talking to him. 

“ Three fellers out there tried to make me prom- 
ise I’d go away before to-morrow night, an’ when 
I wouldn’t, they gave me an awful poundin’. 
Then the fun was wound up by throwiii’ me in 
the pond.” 

“ Three boys ! ” and Aunt Nancy’s tone was an 
angry one. “ I’ll venture to say William Dean 
was among the party ; and if he thinks he’s going 
to drive off every decent child in the neighbor- 
hood, he is mistaken. I’d do my chores alone, 
and wait on the city folks too, before he should 
come here again ! ” 

Then Aunt Nancy peered in every direction as 
if fancying the evil-doers might yet be in the 
vicinity where she could punish them immedi- 
ately, while Jack stood silent, if not quite motion- 
less, wiping the mixture of blood and mud from 
his face in a most disconsolate manner. 

Aunt Nancy’s anger vanished, however, as she 
turned again toward the cripple. 

All her sympathies were aroused, but not to 
such an extent as to smother her cleanly in- 
stincts. 

“Did they hurt you very much?” she asked 
solicitously. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


61 


“ They wasn’t any too careful about liittin’,” 
Jack replied with a feeble attempt at a smile, to 
show that his injuries were not really serious. “ If 
there hadn’t been more than one, I’d have hurt 
him some before he got me into the pond.” 

“I wish you had flogged every single member 
of that party in the most severe — No, I don’t 
either, for it wouldn’t be right. Jack. We are 
told when anybody smites us on one cheek, we 
must turn the other also ; hut it’s terrible Imxl 
work to do right sometimes. I’m glad you 
didn’t strike them, though I do wish they could 
be punished.” 

Again Aunt Nancy showed signs of giving way 
to anger, and one could see that a severe conflict 
was going on in her mind as she tried to obey the 
injunctions of the Book she read so often. 

As if to turn her attention from vengeful 
thoughts, she immediately made preparations for 
di-essing Jack’s wounds. 

“ If you can stand a little more water,” she said, 
“ we’ll try to get you into something like a decent 
condition.” 

“I reckon I can stand almost anything after 
the dose I’ve had,” Jack replied grimly; and 
Aunt Nancy led him under the pump, stationing 
liini directly beneath the spout as she said, — 


62 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“Now I’ll wash the mud off; but if the water 
feels too cold let me know, and we’ll heat it.” 

“I’ll take it as long as you can keep the handle 
goin’,” Jack replied as he bent his head and 
involuntarily drew a long breath preparatory to 
receiving the expected shock. 

Aunt Nancy could pump a long while when 
it was for the purpose of removing dirt; and 
during the next five minutes she deluged Jack 
with the cold spring water until he stood in the 
centre of a miniature pond, no longer covered 
with mud, but dripping tiny streams from every 
portion of his face and garments. 

Sitting on the grass near by, Louis clapped his 
hands and laughed with glee at what he probably 
thought a comical spectacle designed for his own 
esj^ecial amusement. 

It was not until Jack had been, as he expressed 
it, “ so well rinsed it was time to wring him out,” 
that either he or Aunt Nancy remembered the 
very important fact that he had no clothes to 
replace those which were so thoroughly soaked. 

“ Now what are we going to do? ” Aunt Nancy 
asked in dismay, as she surveyed the dripping boy, 
who left little rivers of water behind him when- 
ever he moved. “You haven’t got a second shirt 
to your back, and I can’t let you remain in these 
wet clothes.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


63 


“I might go out to the barn an’ lay ’round 
there till they dried,” Jack suggested. 

“Mercy on us, child, you’d get your death of 
cold! Wait right here while 1 go into the attic 
and see if . there isn’t something you can wear f or 
a few hours. Don’t step across the threshold.” 

This last admonition was unnecessary. 

Short a time as Jack had known Aunt Nancy, 
he was reasonably well acquainted with her cleanly 
habits, and to have stepped on that floor, which 
was as white as boards can be, while in his present 
condition, would have been to incur the little 
woman’s most serious displeasure. 

He was also forced to remain at a respectful 
distance from Louis, who laughed and crowed as 
if begging to be taken, and while moving farther 
away he whisj)ered, — 

“ It wouldn’t do at all to touch you when I’m 
so wet, old fellow, but I’ll lug you around as 
much as you want as soon as I’m dried off. After 
Aunt Nancy comes back. I’m goin’ to talk with 
her about Farmer Pratt, an’ see if she’ll agree to 
say we ain’t here in case he calls. You an’ I’ll be 
in a pretty hard box if she don’t promise to tell a 
lie for us.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


GJi, 


Chapteii VI. 

A MENTAL STRUGGLE. 

When Aunt Nancy returned from the attic, she 
had a miscellaneous collection of cast-off garments 
sufficient, to have clothed a dozen hoys like Jack, 
providing they had been willing to wear female 
apparel. 

‘‘I thought there might be some of father's 
things upstairs,” she said, examining once more 
each piece; “but I’ve given them away. You 
won’t care if you have to put on a dress for a 
little while, will you? Here are some old ones 
of mine, and it will be a great deal better to use 
them than to stand around in wet clothes.” 

Jack was not at all anxious to masquerade as a 
girl, and would have preferred to “ dry off,” as he 
expressed it, in the barn ; but, fearing lest he should 
offend the old lady at a time when he was about 
to ask a very great favor, he made no protest. 

Aunt Nancy selected from the assortment two 
skirts, a pair of well-worn cloth shoes, and a 
shawl, saying as she handed them to the boy, — 


Jack the Hunchback. 


65 


“ Now you can go out in the barn and put these 
on. Then we’ll hang your clothes on the line, 
where they’ll dry in a little while. In the mean 
time I’ll find some sticking plaster for your face, 
and a piece of brown paper to put over your eye 
to prevent it from growing black.” 

Jack walked away as if he were about to per- 
form a very disagreeable task, and by the time 
Aunt Nancy had carried the superfluous wardrobe 
upstairs and procured such things as she thouglit 
would be necessary in the treatment of the boy’s 
wounds, he emerged from the barn looking de- 
cidedly shamefaced. 

He knew he presented a most comical appear- 
ance, and expected to be greeted with an outburst 
of laughter; but Aunt Nancy saw nothing to pro- 
voke mirth in what had been done to prevent a 
cold, and, in the most matter-of-fact manner, began 
to treat the bruises on his face. 

A piece of court plaster fully half as large as 
Jack’s hand was placed over the scratch on his 
right cheek, another upon a small cut just in 
front of his left car, while a quantity of brown 
paper thoroughly saturated with vinegar covered 
his eye and a goodly portion of his forehead. 

This last was tied on with a handkerchief 
knotted in such a manner as to allow the two 


GG 


Jack the Hunchback. 


ends to stick straight up like the ears of a de- 
formed rabbit. 

During this operation Louis lauglied in glee. 
It was to him the jolliest kind of sport to see 
his guardian thus transformed into a gii*l, and 
even Aunt Nancy lierself could not repress a 
smile when she gazed at the woe-begone looking 
boy who appeared to have just come from some 
desperate conflict. 

“ I s’pose I look pretty rough, don’t I ? ” Jack 
asked with a faint attempt at a smile. “I feel 
like as if I’d been broke all to pieces an’ then 
patched up ag’in.” 

“ It isn’t as bad as it might be,” Aunt Nancy 
replied guardedly ; “ but out here where we don’t 
see any one it doesn’t make much difference, and 
to run around this way a few hours is better 
than being sick' for a week.” 

“ I reckon I can stand it if you can,” Jack said 
grimly, “ but I don’t think I want to fix fences in 
this rig. Them fellers would think I’d put on 
these things so they Wouldn’t know me.” 

“No indeed, you mustn’t leave the house even 
when your clothes are dry, until I have seen that 
Dean boy’s father.” 

“You ain’t goin’ to tell him about their 
poundin’ me, are you?” Jack asked quickly. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


67 


Of course I am. You don’t suppose for a 
single moment that I intend to run the chances of 
your being beaten to death by them ! If Mr. Dean 
can’t keep his boy at home I’ll — I’ll — I don’t 
know what I will do.” 

“Seems to me it would he better not to say 
anything about it,” Jack replied hesitatingly. “If 
we go to tellin’ tales, them fellers will think I’m 
afraid, an’ be sure to lay for me whenever I go 
out.” 

“ I’m not going to tell any tales ; hut I intend to 
see if it isn’t possible for me to have a decent, 
well-behaved boy around this place without his 
being obliged to fight a lot of disreputable char- 
acters such* as some we’ve got in the neigh- 
borhood.” 

This is not the time for Jack to make any 
vehement protests, lest Aunt Nancy should be 
provoked because of his persistency, and he 
changed the subject of conversation by broaching 
the matter which occupied all his thoughts. 

“ That Mr. Pratt what tried to send Louis an’ me 
to the poor farm drove past here with Tom jest 
before them fellers tackled me, an’ I heard him 
say he was lookin’ for us.” 

“ Mercy on me ! ” Aunt Nancy exclaimed as she 
pushed the spectacles back from her nose to her 


G8 


Jack the H^inclihack, 


forehead and peered down the lane much as if 
expecting to see the farmer and his son in the 
immediate vicinity. “ Why is he so possessed 
to send you to the poorhouse ? ” 

“That’s what I don’t know,” Jack replied with 
a sigh; “but he’s after us, an’ if he once gets his 
eye on me, the thing is settled.” 

“ lie has no more right to bother you than I 
have, and not half as much. According to your 
stoiy, he didn’t even take the trouble to give you 
a decent meal, and I’ll soon let him know he can’t 
carry you away from here.” 

“ But how’ll you prevent it if he starts right 
in an’ begins to lug us off? He’s stronger’n you 
an’ me put together, an’ if he’s come all this distance 
there won’t be much stoppin’ for anything you’ll 
say to liim, I’m afraid. Now don’t you think it 
would he better to tell him I wasn’t here?” 

“ Mercy on us. Jack ! How could I do that 
when you are here?” 

“Well, you wouldn’t like to have him lug us 
off if you knew we’d got to go to the poorhouse, 
would you ? ’Cause neither Louis nor me ever 
did anything to you, or to him either.” 

“But you sha’n’t go there, my dear child. So 
long as I am willing to keep you liere, I don’t see 
what business it is of his, or anybody else’s.” 


Jack the Ilunchhack. 


69 


It seems as though he was makin’ it his busi- 
ness,” Jack replied disconsolately; for he was now 
beginning to despair of persuading Aunt Nancy 
to tell a lie. “ If you’d say we wasn’t here, that 
would settle it, and he wouldn’t stay.” 

“ But I can’t. Jack ; I can’t tell an absolute 
falsehood.” 

Jack gave vent to a long-di’awn sigh as he 
looked toward the baby for a moment, and then 
said, — 

“Well, I didn’t s’pose you would do it anyhow, 
so Louis an’ me’ll have to start off, ’cause I won’t 
go to that poor farm if I have to walk every step of 
the way to New York an’ carry the baby besides.” 

“I don’t see why you should talk like that, my 
child. In the first place, there is no reason for 
believing that hard-hearted man will come here, 
and — ” 

“ Oil, yes, there is ! ” and Jack repeated the con- 
versation he had overheard while hiding in tlie 
alder-bushes. “When he finds out we haven’t 
befell to Biddeford, he’ll ask at every house on the 
way back.” 

“Do you really think lie would try to take you 
if I said to him in a very severe tone that I 
would have him prosecuted for attempting any- 
thing of the kind? ” 


70 


Jack the Hunchback, 


“ I don’t believe you could scare him a bit, an’ 
there isn’t much chance 5mu’d he able to stop 
him after he’s come so far to hud ns.” 

“But I can’t have you leave me, Jack,” the 
little woman said in a quavering voice. “You 
have no idea how much I’ve been countin’ on 
your company.” 

“You won’t feel half so had as I shall to go,” 
Jack replied mournfully. 

“ But it is out of the question to even think of 
walking all that distance.” 

“It’s got to he done jest the same, an’ as soon 
as my clothes are dried we’ll start. Things will 
come mighty tough ; hut they can’t he helped.” 

Aunt Nancy looked thoroughly distressed, and 
there Avas a suspicious moisture in her eyes as she 
asked, — 

“How would it do to lock the doors, and 
refuse to come down when he knocked?” 

Jack shook his head. 

“ I don’t believe it would work.” 

“No, it mustn’t be thought of, for then we 
should he acting a lie, which is almost, if not quite, 
as had as telling one.” 

“How do you make that out?” Jack asked in 
surprise. 

“We shouldn’t lock the doors unless it was to 


Jack the Hunchback, 


71 

give him the impression that there was no one at 
home, which would be a falsehood.” 

The expression on Jack’s face told that he 
failed to understand either the argument or the 
spirit which prompted it, and for several moments 
no word was spoken. 

Then, as a happy thought occurred to him, the 
boy said eagerly, — 

“ I’ll tell you how it could be done without any 
lie at all, an’ everything would go along as slick 
as grease.” 

“How?” Aunt Nancy asked quickly, as a look 
of relief passed over her face. 

“ I’ll watch up the road a piece till I see the 
team cornin’. Then I’ll run back here, get Louis, 
an’ carry him off somewhere.” 

“Well?” the little woman asked as he paused. 

“ Why, can’t you see how easy it’ll be then ? 
You’ll only have to tell him you don’t know 
where we are, an’ he’ll be bound to leave.” 

“But, Jack dear, I should know where you 
were.” 

“How do you make that out?” 

“You wouldn’t leave the farm, an’ while I — ” 

“That’s jest what you don’t know. I didn’t 
tell you where we’d go. It would be the same 
thing if we left for New York this minute ; you 


72 


Jack the Iluncliback. 


might think we was on the road somewhere ; but 
that wouldn’t make it so.” 

Aunt Nancy remained silent, and although he 
did not believe she was convinced, Jack fancied 
there was a look of hesitation on her face as if she 
might be persuaded into complying with his 
request, therefore he added eagerly, — 

“You want us to stay here, an’ — ” 

“ Indeed I do ! ” the little woman replied fer- 
vently. “ I never knew a boy who seemed so much 
like our own folks as you do, and since last night it 
has been a great relief to tliink I should have you 
with me this summer.” 

“And if Mr. Pratt knows we’re anywhere 
around, he’ll snake us away for certain.” 

“ I don’t understand how that can be done. Jack.” 

“ Neither do I ; but he has come to do it, an’ 
you can’t stop him. Now I’ll promise to go where^ 
you’d never guess of our bein’, an’ then there 
wouldn’t be the least little bit of a lie in sayin’ 
you didn’t know.” 

“ I would do almost anything for the sake of 
keeping you here. Jack, except to commit a sin.” 

“ This way you won’t be doin’ anything of the 
kind. I reckon my clothes are dry now, an’ I’d 
better put ’em on so’s to be ready to watch for 
Mr. Pratt.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


73 


Then Jack liurnetl off as if the matter had been 
positively settled. 

Aunt Nancy gazed after him with an expression 
of mingled pain and perplexity on her wrinkled 
face, and just then Louis crept to her knee, beg- 
ging in his odd language to be taken on her lap. 

“ You dear little creature ! ” she cried, pressing 
him to her bosom while he chattered and laughed. 

It would be cruel to send you among the 
paupers, when a lonely old woman like me loves 
you so mucli ! ” 

Jack looked back just in time to see this picture, 
and there was no longer any doubt in his mind 
but that Aunt Nancy would accede to his request. 

Five minutes later he returned clad in his own 
garments, which looked considerably the worse 
for the hasty drying, and said as he ran swiftly 
past the little woman, — 

“ Don’t let Louis go into the house, for I’ll want 
to get hold of him in a liurry \ ” 

Aunt Nancy began to make some remark ; but 
he was moving so swiftly that the words were 
unheard, and the old lady said to herself with a 
long-drawn sigh as she pressed the baby yet more 
closely, — 

“ I’m afraid it is wrong to do as he wishes ; but 
how can I allow cruel men to take this dear child 


Jack the Hunchback. 


/-f 

from me, when 1 know he will not be cared for 
properly?” 

Then she began to think the matter over more 
calmly, and each moment it became clearer to her 
mind tliat by acceding to Jack’s request she would 
be evading the truth, if not absolutely telling a lie. 

“ I can’t do it,” she said, kissing the baby affec- 
tionately. “ Much as I shall grieve over them, it 
is better tliey should go than for me to do what 
I know to be wrong.” 

Having thus decided, she hurried up the lane to 
warn Jack; but before reaching the road the boy 
was met coming at full speed. 

“ Mr. Pratt has just shown up at the top of the 
hill ; he’s sto]:)pin’ at the house over there ! Pll 
get Louis and hide.” 

‘Hint, Jack dear, I have been thinking this 
matter over, and I can’t even act a lie.” 

“ Wliy didn’t you say so before, when I liad a 
chance to get away?” he cried reproachfully. 
“ Py lettin’ me think you’d do it, you’ve got us 
into a reg’lar trap ! ” 

Tlie boy did not wait to hear lier reply, but ran 
to wliere Louis was seated contentedly on tlie grass, 
raised him in his arms and disa})peared behind the 
barn, leaving the little woman feeling very much 
like a culprit. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


75 


Chapter VII. 

FARMER PRATT. 

Aunt Nancy was now in a fine state of per- 
plexity. 

Jack’s reproachful tone had cut very deeply, 
and she began to consider herself responsible for 
all which miglit ha})pen because of not having 
warned him in time. 

“I’m a wicked woman,” she said, wringing her 
hands distractedly, “and accountable for all 
that happens now. Why was I so weak as not to 
give the dear hoy a decided answer when he 
came from the barn?” 

Then she ran to the bai-s and called after 
Jack in a whisper; hut if any one had asked why 
she wanted him to come back just at that time, 
she could not have explained. 

Returning to the old oak, she was about to sit 
down again when the rattle of wheels told that 
Farmer Pratt was near at hand. 

Hardly aware of what she did, the little woman 
went hurriedly into the house, and there awaited 


76 


Jack the Hunchback. 


what must necessarily be a very painful inter- 
view. 

A few moments later the man whom Jack 
looked upon iis a merciless enemy knocked at 
the door, and Aunt Nancy said feebly, “Come 
in.” 

Farmer Pratt entered without very much cere- 
mony, and iis the little woman gazed at his face 
she fancied, probably from what Jack had told 
her, that it Wiis possible to see covetousness and 
hard-heartedness written on every feature. 

He did not remove his hat, hut stood in the 
centre of the floor, whip in hand, as he said, — 

“Morniifl ma’am, mornin’. Pm from Scar- 
borough, an’ my name is Nathan Pmtt. P’rhaps 
you’ve heard of me.” 

Aunt Nancy was about to say she never had, 
meaning that her neighlx)rs never had spoken of 
him as a pei*son of impoitance; hut she checked 
herself on rememheiing this would he a false- 
liood Ixicause of what Jack had said. 

“ I have heard the name,” she replied faintly. 

“ I thought so, I thought so. Pve lived, man 
an’ hoy, in Scarborough for nigh on to fifty years, 
an’ when that’s been done without givin’ any- 
body a chance to say a word agin me, except 
that I want my own, as other folks do, then it 


Jack the Hunchback. 


77 


would be kinder strange if I wasn’t known within 
a dozen miles of home.” 

“Was that all you came here to say?” Aunt 
Nancy asked. 

“Of course not, — of course not”; and the 
farmer seated himself without waiting for an 
invitiition. “ The fact of the matter is, ma’am. 
I’m huntin’ for a couple of children what 
drifted ashore on my place the other day. One of 
’em was a hunchback, an’ I must say he is bad, 
for after eatin’ all the food in my house that 
he an’ the young one wanted, he run away, leav- 
in’ me in the lurch.” 

“ I don’t suppose they stole it, did they ? ” and 
Aunt Nancy spoke very sharply, for it made her 
angry to hear such things said about Jack. 

“ No, it wasn’t exactly that,” and the farmer hes- 
itated, as if to give her the impression something 
equally wrong had been done by the boy ; “ but as 
a citizen of the town I don’t want it said we let a 
couple of youngsters run around loose like calves.” 

“ What do you intend to do with them ? ” tlie 
little woman asked severely. 

Farmer Pratt had no idea of telling a secret 
wliich he believed would be woi-th at least an 
hundred dollai-s to him, and by keeping it he 
again defeated himself. 


78 


Jack the Hurichhack. 


“ They oughter be carried to the poor farm till 
we can find out who owns ’em. You see I’m as 
big a tax-payer as there is in Scarborough, an’ if 
any other town takes care of the children, we’re 
likely to be sued for the cost of keepin’. Now I 
don’t believe in goin’ to law, for it’s dreadful 
expensive, so I’ve come out to save myself an’ my 
neighbors what little money I can.” 

If Farmer Pratt had told the truth. Aunt Nancy 
would have done all in her power to aid him, and 
Jack could not but have rejoiced, although the 
farmer received a rich reward ; but by announcing 
what was a false proposition, he aroused the little 
woman’s wrath. 

She no longer remembered that it was wrong 
even to act a lie, and thought only of the possibil- 
ity that those whom she had learned to love were 
really to he taken to the refuge for paupers, if her 
visitor should be so fortunate as to find them. 

“ It seems hard to put children in such a place,” 
she said, with an effort to appear calm. 

“ That’s only prejudice, ma’am, sheer prejudice. 
What do we keep up sich institoots for? Why, 
to prevent one man from bein’ obleeged to spend 
more’ll another when a lot of beggars come 
around.” 

“ And yet it seems as if almost any one would 


Jack the Hunchback, 


79 


be willing to feed a couple of chilcben who were 
lost.” 

“There’s where you are makiii’ a mistake ag’in, 
ma’am. Youngsters eat more’n grown folks, an’ 
I know what I’m talkin’ about, ’cause I’ve raised 
a family. Heaven helps them as helps them- 
selves, an’ when we find two like the one I’m 
huntin’ for, then I say since heaven won’t take a 
hand at it, the town should.” 

Aunt Nancy remained silent, but those who 
knew her intimately would have said, because of 
the manner in which she moved her chair to and 
fro, that the little woman was struggling very 
hard to “rule her spirit.” 

“ I don’t reckon you know anything about ’em, 
ma’am,” Farmer Pratt said after a long pause, 
during which Aunt Nancy had rocked violently, 
with her gaze fixed upon an overbold honey bee 
who was intent on gathering the sweets from a 
honeysuckle blossom which the wind had forced 
through the open window. 

“I know this much,” she replied with vehe- 
mence, “that I hope you won’t find the children if 
it is simply to carry them to the poor farm. We 
are told of the reward which — ” 

“Who said anything about a reward?” the 
farmer asked in alarm, fearing that which he 


80 


Jack the Hunchback. 


wished should remain a secret was already 
known. 

“ The Book tells us what shall be the reward of 
those who give a cup of cold water only to these 
His little ones — ” 

“Oh! is that it?” and the visitor appeared 
greatly relieved. “I count myself about as good 
as my neighbors, but when it comes to keepin’ a 
parcel of children, after I’ve paid my taxes to run 
a place especially for sich as they, then I say it’s 
a clear waste of money, an’ that’s as much of a 
sin as anything else.” 

“We won’t argue the matter,” the little woman 
replied with dignity, “but I hope the time will 
never come that I, poor as I am, can count the 
pennies in a dollar when it is a question of giving 
aid or comfort to the distressed.” 

“Since you haven’t seen the youngsters, there’s* 
no need of my stayin’ any longer, ma’am, but it 
does seem funny that nobody has run across ’em, 
when I heard for a fact that they’d come up this 
road.” 

Aunt Nancy knew full well that by remaining 
silent now, she Avas giving the visitor to under- 
stand she knew nothing about the missing ones; 
but just at the moment she would have told a 
deliberate lie rather than give Jack and Louis up 


Jack the Hunchback, 


81 


to such a man, however much she might have 
regretted it afterward. 

“Of course there’s no harm in my askin’ the 
questions,” Farmer Pratt said as he moved toward 
the door, feeling decidedly uncomfortable in mind 
because of the little woman’s sharp words. 

“ Certainly not ; but at the same time I am 
sorry you came.” 

“ Why, ma’am?” 

“ Because I have learned how hard-hearted men 
can be when it is a question of a few dollars. If 
the children should come to me, they would be 
given a home, such as it is, until their relatives 
could be found.” 

“ If they should come, I warn you that it is 
your duty to let me know, for they drifted ashore 
on my property, an’ I’ve got the fimt claim.” 

This was rather more than meek little Aunt 
Nancy could endure ; but she succeeded in check- 
ing the angry words, and rose from her chair to 
intimate that the interview was at an end. 

Farmer Pratt went out very quickly, probably 
fearing he might hear more unpalatable truths, 
and the old lady watched him until he drove away. 

“ It was wicked, but I’m glad I did it ! ” she 
said emphatically. “ Tlie idea of hunting up 
such children as Jack and Louis simply to send 
them among paupers ! ” 


Jack the Hiinchhack, 


Not for many moments did the little woman 
remain in this frame of mind. 

After a time she began to realize that she had 
done exactly what she told Jack would be impos- 
sible — acted a lie, and her conscience began to 
trouble her greatly. 

She tried to read a chapter in the Book with the 
hope of finding something to comfort her, and, 
failing in this, her thoughts went out to the chil- 
dren who had left so suddenly. 

“ Mercy on us ! ” she exclaimed. “ Suppose 
Jack really has gone away, believing I would tell 
that man all I knew about him ! ” 

This idea was sufficient to arouse her to action, 
and she went behind the barn, where she called 
softly, — 

“ Jack ! Jack ! Where are you ? ” 

Not until this very feeble outcry had been 
repeated half a dozen times did she receive any 
reply, and then the hunchback, with Louis clasped 
in his arms, peered out from among the bushes. 

“ Has the farmer gone ? ” he asked in a whisper. 

“ Indeed he has.” 

“ And you didn’t tell him where we was ? ” 

“ Me never asked the question ; but all the 
same. Jack dear, I did wrong in allowing him to 
suppose I knew nothing about you.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


83 


“You’re the sweetest aunt any feller ever 
had,” the hunchback said heartily as he came 
swiftly up and kissed one of the old lady’s 
wrinkled hands before she was aware of his 
intentions. “I couldn’t believe you wanted us 
taken to the poorliouse, so I didn’t go very far 
off.” 

“I almost wish I hadn’t done it, for— No, 
I don’t either! After talking with that wretch 
it would have broken my heart to see him take 
you away ! Give me the baby this minute ; it 
seems as if I hadn’t seen him for a week.” 

Jack willingly relinquished his charge to the 
motherly arms extended to receive the laugh- 
ing child, and said, as Aunt Nancy almost 
smothered Louis with kisses, — 

“You sha’n’t ever be sorry for what you have 
done. I’ll work awful hard, an’ take care of 
the baby whenever you’ve got somethin’ else to 
do.” 

“ I know you are a good boy. Jack, and I 
wouldn’t undo what’s been done if I could; but 
at the same time my conscience will reproach 
me, for I realize that I acted wickedly.” 

So far as the sin was concerned. Jack did 
not think it of great importance, and wondered 
not a little that as good a woman as Aunt 


<5^ Jach the Ilunchhaek, 

Nancy should attach so much importance to what, 
in his mind at least, was nothing more than a 
charitable act. 

He took care not to give expression to his 
thoughts, however, and led the way hack to the 
old oak-tree, where he said, — 

“Yon sit down here awhile, an’ I’ll go out 
to make certain that man has gone. It might 
be he’s waitin’ ’round somewhere to find whether 
we’re really here.” 

“I don’t think there is any danger of that,” 
Aunt Nancy replied as she seated herself on 
the bench and fondled Louis until the little 
fellow was tired of caresses. 

Jack could not he comfortable in mind unless 
positive his enemy had left the vicinity, and 
he walked quite a long distance up the road 
before convincing himself of the fact. 

When he returned the desire to make him- 
self necessary to the little woman was stronger 
than ever, and he proposed to finish the work 
of fence mending at once. 

“ Better wait till after dinner now that it is 
so near noon,” she said. “We’ll have a quiet 
talk, and then I will start the fire.” 

“ Is it about Farmer Pratt you want to say 
something ? ” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


85 


“No, we’ll try to put him out of our minds. 
It is the hahy.” 

“ What’s the matter with him ? ” 

“ He must have another frock and some 
clothes. These are very dirty, and I’m afraid 
he’d take cold if I should wash them at night, 
and put them on again in the morning.” 

“H aven’t you got an old dress like the one I 
wore ? By pinnin’ it up he’d get along all 
right.” 

“Indeed he wouldn’t. Jack. Boys can’t he 
expected to know what a cliild needs ; hut it 
puzzdes me how to get the material from the 
store.” 

“ What’s the matter with my goin’ after 
it.?” 

“ It is a very long distance — more than four 
miles away.” 

“That’s all right; I walked a good deal far- 
ther the day I came here. Jest say what you 
want, an’ I’ll go after it now.” 

“ Do you really think you could get hack 
before sunset?” 

“I’m certain of it, providin’ I don’t wait for 
dinner.” 

“ But you must have something to eat. Jack 
dear.” 


80 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“ I can take a slice of bread and Initter in 1113^ 
hand, an’ that’ll last me more’n four miles.” 

“ I have half a mind to let you go,” Aunt 
Nancy said as if to herself, and Jack insisted so 
strongly that she finally decided he should do the 
shopping. 

Not one, hut half a dozen slices of bread were 
spread thickly with butter as a dinner for the 
messenger, and then tlie little woman wrote on a 
slip of paper the different articles she needed. 

“ You must see that Mr. Treat gives 3^011 
exactly what I’ve asked for,” she said as she read 
tlie list, and explained what the textui’e or color 
of each article should be. “ Watch him closely, 
and be sure he makes the riglit change.” 

Then she gave him the most minute directions 
as to the road, the time which should be occupied 
in the journey, and the manner the goods Avere 
to be brought home. 

A basket was provided for the purchases, and 
Aunt Nanc3^ said as she gave Jack a ten-dollar 
note, — 

“ Tie that in your handkerchief so’s to be sure 
not to lose it. Jack dear, for it’s a great deal of 
money to a lone woman like me.” 

He promised to be careful, and kissed the bab3^ 
good by. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


87 


Aunt Nancy leaned over for the same salute, 
and when it had been given she said in a sorrow- 
ful tone, — 

“ It is a deal of comfort to have you with me. 
Jack; but I do wish I had been bold enough to 
tell that man the truth, and then refused to let 
you go with him.” 

“ It’s lucky you didn’t. Aunt Nancy, for he’d 
been hound to have us any way.” 

Then Jack walked swiftly down the daisy-em- 
])roidered lane, thiidcing he was a very fortunate 
boy indeed in having found such a good friend as 
the sweet-faced old lady. 


88 


Jack the Hunchback, 


Chapter VIII. 

A SECOND WARNING. 

True to his promise, Jack returned before the 
sun Avas very Ioav in the Avestern sky, and Aunt 
Nancy expressed the greatest surprise at seeing 
him so soon. 

“When I send William Dean to the store he 
needs all day for the journey, and on tAvo or three 
occasions it has been late in the evening before 
he came back.” 

“ It isn’t such an aAvful long Avalk, but it makes 
a feller kinder tired, an’ I s’pose he had to rest a 
good Avhile before startin’ back. I thought Td 
better come the minute the things Avere ready, 
’cause I Avas afraid you’d do the milkin’. ” 

“Of course I shall. You don’t suppose I’d let 
you Av^ork after that terribly long Avalk.” 

“ But I’m goin’ to do the chores jest the same,” 
Jack replied ; and to prove his Avords he carried in 
the kindlings for morning. 

Aunt Nancy Avas perfectly satisfied Avith the 
purchases he made, and until it Avas time to 


Jack the Ilmichhack. 


89 


bring the cow up from pasture she explained 
her intentions in the way of making clothes for 
Louis. 

This piece of calico isn’t as pretty as some 
I’ve had from Treat’s,” she said, unfolding the 
goods, “hut it seems to he a good quality, and 
that’s the main thing. Now, the question is 
whether I shall make his frock with a yoke, or 
plain? What do you think. Jack dear?” 

Jack hadn’t the faintest idea of what she meant 
hy a “yoke” or a “frock,” hut, wishing to please 
the little woman by giving an opinion, he an- 
swered decidedly, — 

“ I should make it plain.” 

“ That was just my idea. How queer it is that 
you should know all about such things, and have 
good judgment too ! ” 

Jack came very near smiling because of this 
pmise which he did not deserve, but was wise 
enough not to make any re})ly, and Aunt Nancy 
consulted liim on every detail until the garment 
had been fully decided upon. 

Then it was time to attend to old crumple-horn, 
and when Jack came into the kitchen again supper 
was on the table. 

In view of the fact that he had had such a long 
tramp, the little woman insisted on his retiring 


90 


Jack the Hunchback, 


very early, and the Book was opened as soon as 
the supper-table had been cleared. 

On this day Aunt Nancy’s evening devotions 
occupied an unusually long time, and she prayed 
fervently to he forgiven for her sin of the fore- 
noon, — a fact which caused Jack to say when 
she had finished, — 

“ It don’t seem to me as if you could ever do 
anything wicked. Aunt Nancy, an’ there ain’t 
any need of fussing about what you said to 
Farmer Pratt, for God knows jest how good 
you are.” 

“You mustn’t talk like that. Jack dear. 
There are very many times when I give way 
to anger or impatience, and there can be no 
question but that I as much as told a lie when 
that man was here.” 

Jack would have protested that no wrong 
had been done, but she prevented farther con- 
versation by kissing him on both cheeks as she 
said, “ Good night.” 

On the following morning. Aunt Nancy’s 
“ man of all work ” took good care she should 
not be the first one awake. 

He arose as the rays of the coming sun 
were glinting the eastern sky, and when the 
little woman entered the kitchen the fire had 


Jack the Hunchback, 


91 


been built, the floor swept, and the morning’s 
milk in the pail ready for straining. 

Her surprise at what he had done was suffi- 
cient reward for Jack, and he resolved that she 
should never have an opportunity to do such 
work while he was sleeping. 

“ I begin to feel quite like a visitor,” the 
little woman said with a cheery laugh as she 
bustled around in her sparrow-like fashion, pre- 
paring breakfast. “ This is the first time in a 
great many years tliat the fire has been made 
and the milking done before I got up.” 

Thanks to Jack’s labors, the morning meal 
was unusually early, and when it had been eaten 
and the dishes washed, the hunchback said as he 
took up his hat, — 

“ I’ll go now an’ finish mendin’ the fence.” 

“Wait until I have seen Mr. Dean. I’m 
afraid those dreadful boys will do you some 
mischief.” 

“ I don’t reckon they’ll be stirring so early, 
an’ it won’t take me more ’n an hour longer. 
While I’m gone, think of somethin’ else that 
needs to be done, for I’d rather be workin’ than 
layin’ still.” 

“You’re a good boy. Jack dear, and I should 
be very sorry to have you go away from me now.” 


92 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“ There’s no danger of that yet awhile, unless 
Mr. Pratt takes it into liis head to come this 
way again,” Jack replied with a laugh as he 
left the house. 

It required some search to find the hammer and 
nails he had tlrrown down when he was so 
frightened, and then the task of fence mending 
progressed famously until a rustling among the 
bushes caused liim to raise his eyes suddenly. 

Bill Dean stood before him, looking particularly 
savage and thi*eatening. 

Jack -took a yet firmer grasp of the hammer, 
resolved to defend himself vigorously providing 
there should be no other enemies in the vicinity. 

“ So you’re still here, eh ? ” Bill asked sternly. 

“ Looks like it I reckon.” 

“ When are you goin’ ? ” 

“I haven’t quite made up my mind; but I’ll 
write an’ tell you before I pack my trunk.” 

Bill stepjjed forward quickly, but Jack per- 
suaded liim to go back by swinging the hammer 
unpleasantly near the bully’s head as he said, — 

‘•Don’t come too near! You served me out 
yesterday because there was tln-ee in the gang, 
an’ I hadn’t anything to defend myself with; 
but now mattei-s are a little different.” 

“Are you goin’ to leave this place to-day?” Bill 
asked, as he retreated a few paces. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


93 


“No, nor to-morrow either.” 

“Then remember what I say. This is the 
second warnin’ you’ve had, an’ it’ll be the last. 
Look out for trouble if you’re in this town 
to-night ! ” 

“I shall be here, an’ I want you to remember 
that somebody besides me may get into trouble 
if there’s any funny business. Aunt Nancy 
threatened to tell your father about what was done 
yesterday, but I coaxed her not to, an’ I won’t say 
a word another time.” 

“ I don’t mind what she says, we’ll run you out 
of this place before two days go by, so take care 
of yourself.” 

“ That’s jest what I count on doin’, an’ if you’ve 
got any sense you’ll keep away from me.” 

Bill shook his fist tlii*eateningly as near Jack’s 
nose as he thought prudent, and disappeared 
among the bushes, leaving the hunchback decicV 
edly disturbed in mind despite the bold front he 
had assumed. 

“Them fellers can make it hot for me, of 
course,” he said to himself when the bully had 
gone, “an’ I expect I shall catch it rough, but 
almost anything is better than leavin’ here after 
Aunt Nancy has fixed it so nice with Farmer 
Pratt.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


H 


He worked more rapidly after receiving this 
second warning, and returned to the house by the 
main road instead of going around past the frog 
pond. 

The little woman was under the old oak making 
Louis’s new garments when he arrived, and she 
saw at once by the troubled expression on his face 
that something had gone wrong. 

“What’s the matter. Jack dear?” she asked 
kindly. 

“ Matter ? I guess I don’t know what you 
mean.” 

“Indeed you do, so now tell Aunt Nancy all 
about it. Have you seen that Dean boy again 
to-day? ” 

Jack was forced to confess he had, and in a few 
moments the little woman succeeded in learning 
the whole story. 

She insisted that it was necessary for her to 
see. Bill’s father at once; but the hunchback 
begged her not to do anything of the kind, 
and she apparently abandoned the idea. 

“Why is it you don’t want me to go?” she 
finally asked. 

“ Because when any fuss is raised about me, I’m 
afraid it’ll come to Farmer Pratt’s ears somehow, 
an’ he’ll be over here again.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


95 


“I wish he would, for then I could confess to 
him that I the same as told a lie, and defy any 
one to take you children from me.” 

‘‘ When that time comes we shall have to go,” 
Jack replied despondently; and Aunt Nancy en- 
deavored to cheer him by displaying Louis’s frock, 
which was rapidly approaching completion. 

During the remainder of the day Jack busied 
himself around the farm at such chores as he or 
Aunt Nancy could find, and when night came 
nothing had been heard of those who insisted he 
must leave the town. 

The baby sat under the old oak during the even- 
ing in all the bravery of his new dress, and Aunt 
Nancy discussed the subject-matter of her proposed 
letter to “Brother Abner” until it was time to retire. 

Then Jack went into his tiny room with a heart 
full of thankfulness that his lines “ had been cast 
in such pleasant places,” and it seemed as if his 
eyes had but just closed in slumber when he was 
awakened by the pressure of a soft hand on his 
face. 

Fear would have caused him to rise to a sitting 
posture very suddenly but for the fact that the 
same gentle pressure forced him to remain in a 
reclining position, and then he heard a familiar 
voice wliisper, — 


96 


Jack the Hunclibaek, 


“ O Jack clear, burglars are trying to get into 
the house! What ^hall we do?” 

He was now thoroughly awake, and as the 
hand was removed from his month he asked in 
a low tone, — 

“Are yon certain of that?” 

“Absolutely. I thought I heard an unusual 
noise, and looked out when — There! Bo yon 
hear that?” 

“It would be strange if I didn’t,” Jack re- • 
plied as the creaking of the shed door swinging 
back on its hinges sounded remarkably loud 
and harsh on the still night air. “I’ll get 
right up; go downstairs and wait for me.” 

“It will be better if I stay in the hall-way,” 
Aunt Nancy said in a voice, the tremor of 
which told that she was thoroughly frightened. 

Never before had Jack dressed so quickly, 
and as he did he tried to think what course 
should be pursued. 

There seemed to be no question but that 
burglars were on the premises, and to encoun- 
ter them single-handed and alone would be the 
height of folly. 

As may be fancied, he had not made a very 
elaborate toilet when he joined Aunt Nancy at 
the head of the stairs. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


97 


It was sufficient that he had on enough cloth- 
ing to admit of his going out of doors without 
danger of taking cold. 

“ Have you got a gun or a pistol ? ” he asked 
of the little woman who was shivering’ with 

O 

fear as if Avith an agfue fit. 

“No indeed, I never would dare to sleep in 
the same house with such things.” 

“ Wliat have you that I can use as a 
weapon?” 

“There isn’t a single article in this house 
which is dangerous except the carving knife, and 
that is very dull.” 

“It Avill be better than nothing.” 

“But you surely don’t intend to go out there 
when desperate men may be laying in wait to 
take your life!” 

“ Something must be done ; Ave can’t stay shut 
up here and alloAV them to do as they please.” 

“But you’ll be killed. Jack dear”; and poor 
old Aunt Nancy clung to the boy in a frenz}^ 
of fear. “ To think that I’ve been expecting 
something of the kind all my life, and it has 
come at last!” 

A sound as if the shed door liad been closed 
told Jack he Avas Avasting Avhat might be pre- 
cious time. 


98 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“Get the carving knife quick,” he whispered, 
“and when I go out lock the door after me.” 

Aunt Nancy obeyed in silence. 

She brought the knife much as though it was 
the deadliest of weapons, and put it in Jack’s 
hands with something very like awe. 

“Don’t kill the men if you can help it,” she 
whispered. “ It would be better to frighten 
them very badly rather than stain your hands 
with blood.” 

Jack made no reply; but the thought came 
into his mind that he would stand a poor 
chance of frightening a burglar, with nothing 
but the well-worn knife. 

He opened the door softly. 

Aunt Nancy stood ready to close and lock it 
instantly lie was on the outside, and the decisive 
moment had arrived. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


99 


Chapter IX. 

THE ALARM. 

It must be confessed that Jack was not at all 
eager to face the alleged burglars. 

He knew very well that if there were no more 
than two he would stand a slim chance of driving 
them away, and even one good-sized man might 
make it very uncomfortable for him. 

Had he been left to follow his own inclinations, 
the outer door would not have been open-ed, but 
he knew Aunt Nancy depended upon him for 
protection, and he must make a reputation for 
courage or be disgraced in her eyes. 

The sky was overcast with clouds, and Jack 
could not distinguish objects ten paces away as 
he stepped on to the broad stone in front of the 
door. 

He heard the key turn in the lock behind 
him, and this was sufficient to tell him he need 
not expect any assistance from the little woman 
inside. * 

Grasping the carving knife firmly, he moved 


100 


Jack the Hunchback, 


forward slowly in the direction of the shed, and 
saw a shadowy form dart around the corner of 
the building. 

Then another, or the same one, returned, ap- 
proached Jack, and stooped over as if in the act 
of placing something on the ground. 

An instant later the shadow had disappeared, 
and Jack saw before him a thin line of sparks, 
apparently coming from the solid earth, but not 
sufficiently large to cast any light. 

Quite naturally Jack’s first thought was that 
the miscreants were trying to set the buildings 
on fire, and he ran forward to extinguish what 
seemed ready to burst into a flame, when there 
was a muffled report, the ground appeared to be a 
mass of coals, while at the same time a soft, 
sticky substance was thrown in a shower upon 
him. 

Jack leaped back in surprise and alarm, and as 
he did so struck his foot against some obstruction 
with sufficient power to throw him headlong. 

The explosion, the -sudden glare of light, and 
the shower of he knew not what, all served to 
bewilder the boy to such an extent that for the 
moment it seemed as if the same force which 
caused the report had knocked him down. 

The first idea which came into his mind was 


Jack the Hunchhach. 


101 


that he had been shot, for lie remembered hav- 
ing heard that tlie victim does not feel pain for 
some time after a bullet enters his body, and the 
sticky substance on his face he thought must be 
blood. 

“ That Bill Dean meant what lie said, an’ has 
commenced drivin’ me out of town,” he muttered 
to himself, making not the slightest effort to rise, 
because he believed it im})ossil)le to do so. 

The silence was almost oppressive after the 
loud report. 

Jack could liear nothing to denote that there 
was any one in the vicinity, and was feeling 
of his limbs to ascertain the amount of injuiy 
done, when a shrill, tremulous voice from the 
doorway cried, — 

“ Jack ! Jack dear ! Are you hurt much? ” 

“ I’m afraid I’m shot. It seems as if I was 
hleedin’ dreadful ! ” 

“ Wait till I can light the lantern, my poor 
hoy”; and the door was closed and locked again. 

By this time Jack had fully persuaded him- 
self he was seriously wounded, and wondered 
how long it would he before the pain came. 

Two, minutes later Aunt Nancy, partially 
dressed and with an odd little lantern in her 
hand, emerged very cautiously from the house. 


102 


Jack the Ehmchhack. 


The fear Jack might he fatally injured was 
greater than that of the supposed burglars. Her 
desire to aid others conquered her timidity, 
and the only thought was to bring relief as 
speedily as possible. 

“ Mercy on us ! What a dreadful thing ! ” 
Aunt Nancy exclaimed as she arrived at the 
place where Jack was lying at full length on 
the ground. “ Tell me Avhere you are hurt, my 
poor child.” 

“ I don’t know ; but it seems as if somethin’ 
tough must have happened, for I’m hleedin’ 
terribly.” 

The little woman knelt by his side, and held the 
lantern up until its rays illumined the hoy’s face. 

“I can’t see any blood, Jack dear; but you 
seem to he literally covered with something 
yellow.” 

The hoy passed his hand over his face, scrap- 
ing off the supposed sanguinary fluid, and exam- 
ined it carefully hy aid of the light. 

Then he leaped to his feet very quickly, look- 
ing both ashamed and angry. 

“ It’s some kind of a trick Bill Dean’s gang 
have been playing ! ” he cried, and at that instant 
from behind the barn came a shout of derision, 
followed by hearty laughter. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


103 


‘‘ Oh, I wish I was strong enough to flog those 
wicked wretches ! ” Aunt Nancy said, her eyes 
filling with tears of vexation. 

Jack made no reply. 

He had taken the lantern from her hand, and 
was searching carefully in the immediate vicinity. 

It was not long before he and Aunt Nancy de- 
cided that the yellow substance was the seeds and 
pulp of a pumpkin, and Jack said, as he picked up 
several pieces of red paper, — 

“Now I know what it means. Those fellers 
have dug the inside out of a pumpkin, and put into 
it a big fire-cracker. They waited until I came 
near the shed before lighting it, an’, of course, 
when the thing exploded it sent the stuff flyin’.” 

“ Thank goodness it was no worse ! ” the little 
woman added, and Jack burst into a hearty laugh. 

Despite the suffering caused by fear, the idea 
that he had been scared almost into dying by an 
exploded pumpkin was comical in the extreme, 
and his mirth was not checked until Aunt Nancy 
asked quite sharply, — 

“ What on earth are you laughing at ? ” 

“ To think how frightened we got about noth- 
ing.” 

“I’m sure it was a good deal. Here we’ve 
been forced out of our beds at this hour of the 


10 Jf, Jack the Hunchback. 

night, believing burglars were around, and then 
scared nearly to death because it appeared as if 
you Avere Avounded, all on account of those terrible 
boys Avho Avanted to haA^e some sport ! ” 

“It can’t be helped noAV, an’ tlie sooner you get 
into tlie house the less Avill be the chances of yaur 
taking cold,” Jack replied, checking his mirth 
Avith difficulty as he saAv hoAV angry Aunt Nancy 
really Avas. 

Although it Avas a practical joke Avhich had 
caused a great deal of mental anxiety for a short 
time, he could not look upon it otherAvise than as 
funny, except when he realized that this Avas the 
first step taken to drive him out of the toAvn. 

The little Avoman insisted on examining the in- 
terior of the shed to learn if the boys had done 
any further mischief, and they found fragments of 
pumpkin and paper, shoAving that the “infernal 
machine” had been constructed there. 

Nothing appeared to have been disturbed, 
and the two Avho had been so unceremoniously 
aAvakened returned to the house after the pulp 
A\^as scraped with a chip from Jack’s face, hair, 
and clothing. 

It Avas a long time before the boy could induce 
slumber to visit Ids eyelids again that night, but 
he finally succeeded Avith such good effect that he 


Jack the Himchhack. 


105 


did not awaken until tlie noise Aunt Nancy made 
while building the fire aroused him. 

Dressing hurriedly, he went downstairs in time 
to do a poi’tion of the work, and when the 
milk was brought into the house after old 
crumple-horii had been driven to pasture. Aunt 
Nancy asked, — 

“ Do you think you could take care of Louis a 
little while this forenoon?” 

“Of course I can. Are you going visitin’?” 

“Yes; I intend to see if something can’t be 
done to prevent those wretched boys from carrying 
on in this manner.” 

“But, Aunt Nancy — ” 

“Now don’t say a word. Jack dear. Things 
were very much like this last summer when I 
hired a boy from Portland, and no one can tell 
what might have happened if he hadn’t run away. 
I know it is wrong to get angry, but I can’t help 
it. Seems to me I am growing more wicked 
every day; yesterday I just the same as told a 
lie, and last night I did not control my angry 
passions.” 

“But, Aunt Nancy — ” 

“Don’t try to argue with me, or I shall get 
worse. I am going to see Mr. Dean at once, and 
you must keep house till 1 come back.” 


106 


Jack the Hunchback. 


Louis’s guardiiin realized that words would be 
worse than useless at such a time, and he wisely 
refrained from speaking, while Aunt Nancy, as if 
trying hard to keep her temper within bounds, did 
the morning work in ominous silence. 

When the last duty had been performed, she 
directed Jack to take the baby out under the old 
oak, and then disappeared for half an hour or 
more, at the end of which time she reappeared 
dressed with scrupulous neatness, but in the 
quaintest of fashions. 

“I sha’n’t be away more than an hour; and if 
any of those boys show themselves, be sure to go 
into the house with Louis at once.” 

Saying this, she walked swiftly down the lane, 
and Jack muttered to himself as she turned the 
corner into the main load, — 

I’m mighty sorry she’s bent on anything of the 
kind, for I’m certain there’ll be trouble for me 
come out of it.” 

Fortunately nothing occurred to cause alarm 
during the little woman’s absence. 

Jack amused the baby, split more kindlings 
and piled them up in the shed, being thus occu- 
pied when Aunt Nancy returned, looking mildly 
triumphant. 

“ There ! ” she said in a tone of satisfaction as 


Jack the Hunchback. 


107 


she seated herself beneath the old oak and fanned 
her heated face with a tiny j)Ocket-handkerchief, 
“ 1 did control my temper, and I don’t think 
the Dean hoy will tronble either of us again.” 

“ Did you tell his father ? ” 

“ I gave him a full account of all which had 
been done, both this summer and last. Mr. 
Dean has promised me nothing of the kind shall 
ever ha})pen again, and we are free from that 
annoyance.” 

Jack thought, but did not venture to put it 
into words, that Bill Dean would not give up 
the struggle so easily, and felt convinced there 
was yet more serious trouble in store for Iiim 
before the summer came to an end. 

“ Do you know. Jack dear, I would give 
almost anything in the world if I hadn’t told 
a lie to Mr. Pratt. We should have stood our 
ground, and defied him to take you and the 
baby away, rather than commit a sin.” 

“ But I can’t see that you were so very 
wicked. Aunt Nancy. He would have carried 
us off in spite of anything you could say, an’ 
I’m sure you didn’t tell a lie.” 

“It is on my conscience just the same. Jack 
dear, and I shall never feel easy in mind,” the 
little woman replied with a long-drawn sigh. 


108 


Jack the Hunchback, 


Jack was really distressed because Aunt 
Nancy should regret so deeply what was done 
in his behalf ; but he could think of nothing 
consoling to say, since she insisted on believing 
a downright falsehood had been told. 

“ I am also to be condemned for having 
given way to my temper; but those boys do 
try it so severely it is very difficult to remember 
that he who ‘ rules his spirit is better than 
he who taketh a city.’ ” 

Jack looked up in bewilderment. 

He did not understand the application of the 
quotation, and the remark about taking a city 
mystified him. 

Aunt Nancy was so intent on her own sad 
thoughts that she paid no attention to his 
perplexity, and after a long silence entered 
the house, returning a few moments later in 
her home costume, which the boy thought more 
becoming than the antiquated finery she had 
been arrayed in for the call on Bill Dean’s father. 

The little woman did not give Jack the details 
of her visit to Mr. Dean ; but he felt more confi- 
dent than ever that it was an ill-advised move, so 
far as his own peace was concerned, and but a 
little time was to elapse before this was to be 
proven. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


109 


“ I believe I will send a line to Brother Abner 
now,” Aunt Nancy suddenly said. “ It is time 
he learned what has happened; and since we 
have no pressing work on hand, yon can mind the 
baby. It isn’t as easy for me to write letters as 
it used to be. I need a long while in which to 
compose my thoughts.” 

Then the little woman set about the task, and 
it could be seen it was a hard one by the man- 
ner in which she began. 

Watching through the ojDen window. Jack saw 
her bring pens, paper, and ink from her chamber 
to the kitchen, and then nibble at the end of her 
penholder as if to derive inspiration from that 
source. 

Had it been some weighty document of state 
she could not have been more particular, and 
fully two hours were spent before the labor was 
completed. 

“Took me a long while, didn’t it?” she asked 
on coming into the yard once more. “ I believe 
I’ve told Abner the whole story, and well soon 
know if the baby’s parents are yet alive.” 

“Shall I carry it to the post-office?” 

“Mercy! no. It is in Treat’s store, and I 
couldn’t think of letting you take that long walk 
again to-day.” 


110 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“It won’t hurt me a bit.” 

“You must stay here quietly with me, and tO' 
morrow peihaps you shall go. There is plenty of 
time, and who knows if Abner is home now; he’s 
a master hand at gadding about, which accounts 
for his being so poor. I’ve always told him that 
‘a rolling stone gathers no moss,’ hut he laughs it 
off by saying he doesn’t want to he moss-grown.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


Ill 


Chapter X. 

SICKNESS. 

Now the important letter had been writ- 
ten, Aunt Nancy was in no hurry to mail it. 

She acted very much as if believing the 
children would be lost to her immediately after 
Abner learned the news, and it was simply a 
case of “deferring the evil day.” 

During the afternoon Jack further endeared 
himself to the little woman’s heart by patching 
up the door of the shed in such a manner that 
it could not be opened* readily, and fastening it 
with an old padlock he found in the barn. 

“That is just what I have been wanting for 
a long time,” Aunt Nancy exclaimed in sur- 
prise when he called her to see. the result of 
his labors. “How strange I can’t do that as 
well as you ! ” 

“That’s because you’re a woman,” Jack replied, 
not a little delighted with the praise bestowed 
upon him. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


im 

“It may be; but I’m so very much older, it 
seems as if I should be able to do such things 
pro2>erly, and yet I can’t even drive a nail.” 

“There’ll be no need of your doin’ it Avhile I’m 
’round.” 

“And I hope you and Louis will stay a long 
time; but I suppose it isn’t right to say so, for 
although there isn’t any chance his mother can be 
alive after the ship exploded, he has probably 
relatives who want to see him.” 

During the remainder of the day. Jack assisted 
the little woman with the houscAvork, and at sun- 
set the tAvo sat in the favorite place under the old 
oak, until Louis became unusually fretful. 

After trying in vain to soothe him. Aunt Nancy 
insisted they should retire, saying as she Avent 
toward the house, — 

“I am afraid he doesn’t feel very Avell. Are 
you sure he didn’t play in the sun Avhile I Avas 
aAvay?” 

“I kept him in the shade as much as I could. 
Do you think he can be sick ?” 

“Not enough for us to worry about. Jack dear. 
Childi’en are apt to fuss Avhen everything don’t go 
just right. After I undress him, we’ll read the 
Book, and then you shall go to bed.” 

The fact that Louis was not in his usual good 


Jack the Hunchback. 


113 


spirits and temper worried Jack considerably, 
despite the little woman’s cheery words, and 
when he went to his tiny room it was impossible 
for him to sleep immediately. 

He had lain awake fully two hours, at times 
speculating as to how he and the baby would 
finally get to New York, and again wondering if 
it could be possible that both Captain and Mrs. 
Littlefield were dead, when the stairway door was 
opened, as Aunt Nancy whispered cautiously, — 

“Jack ! Jack dear! Are you awake ? ” 

The boy was on his feet in an instant. 

“What’s the matter? Is Louis worse?” 

“He seems to be quite sick. Will you dress 
and come down?” 

Jack answered this summons very quickly as 
he tried to keep back the dry sob which came 
into his throat, for it seemed as if tlie greatest 
misfortune which could befall liim would be to 
lose tlie baby at tlie time when he was in such a 
good home. 

He found Aunt Nancy in the kitchen with 
Louis in her arms. 

A fire had been built in the stove, and the little 
woman was seated in front of it rocking the 
baby as she stirred the boiling contents of a tin 
kettle. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


lU 


“ Do you know what catnip is when you see it 
growing ? ” she asked as Jack entered the room. 

“I don’t; but if you’ll tell me where to go, 
I’ll hunt for it.” 

“ Light the lantern, so there won’t be any mis- 
take, and run out to the lane. You’ll find some 
growing along the fence. Get as much as will 
fill this kettle, and come hack as soon as you can.” 

“ Is he very had ? ” Jack asked in a trembling 
voice as he go-zed at the baby’s flushed cheeks. 

“ I never have had much experience with chil- 
dren, hut I guess a little catnip tea wfill bring 
him around all right by morning.” 

“ Hadn’t we better have a doctor ? ” 

“ There is no need yet, and, besides, there isn’t 
one within six miles.” 

“It don’t make any difference how far it is, I’m 
Avillin’ to Avalk any distance for him.” 

“We Avill first see Avhat the morning brings 
forth.” 

Jack delayed no longer. 

The lantern was lighted, and he started at once 
in search of an herb he did not even know by 
sight. 

Ten minutes later he returned with an armful 
of green leaves, and Aunt Nancy bestowed but 
one hasty glance upon them when she cried, — 


Jack the Hunchback. 


115 


“ O Jack, Jack, you’ve spent your time gath- 
ering burdocks! If you can hold the baby. I’ll go 
after it myself.” 

“ I’d rather try ag’in than have you go out 
where the grass is wet with dew.” 

“ It won’t hurt me. Take Louis” ; and the 
little woman put the baby in Jack’s arms as 
she hurried away, lantern in hand. 

It seemed to Jack as if she had but left the 
house before she returned with tlie desired herb, 
and the boy said in surprise, — 

“ Is that what you call catnip ? I saw plenty 
of it, but didn’t think the leaves were big 
enough to do any good.” 

“ In this world it isn’t the big things which 
are capable of working the most benefit. Jack.” 

“ If I hadn't known that before, I should after 
seeing you. Aunt Nancy. You’re small, but there 
couldn’t be anybody gooder.” 

Although the little woman said nothing, it 
could readily be seen that the compliment 
pleased her. 

She bustled around much like a busy sparrow, 
putting the herbs in the kettle, making sundry 
mysterious decoctions, and otherwise preparing 
such things as she thought might be of benefit 
to the baby. 


lie 


Jack the Hunchback, 


Jack held Louis meanwhile, and before Aunt 
Nancy was ready to take him again he asked in a 
low tone, — 

“ Do you think there is any chance he would 
die?” 

“ I don’t believe he is in any danger now. Jack 
dear; but all of us should think of death as 
something which will come sooner or later.” 

The boy was silent for a moment, and then he 
asked abruptly, — 

‘‘You pray for everything you want, why 
don’t you do it now so he’ll be sure to live ? ” 

“ It wouldn’t be right to ask God simply for 
the ehild’s life.” 

“Why not?” 

“ Because He doeth all things well, and we 
do not know what His purpose may be.” 

“ But there can’t be any good come of takin’ 
Louis away from me, when he’s all I’ve got.” 

“ That is something you don’t know, J ack dear. 
What God does is right, and we must bow to His 
will.” 

Aunt Naney spoke in such a solemn tone, or, 
as Jack afterward expressed it, “ like as if she 
was in meetin’,” that the boy could say no more, 
but watched intently every move the little wo- 
man made until she was ready to take the baby 
in her arms once more. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


117 


This night was a long one to both, for neither 
thought of going to sleep. 

Once Aunt Nancy insisted Jack should lie 
down; but he pleaded so hard to be allowed to 
remain awake, that she said no more, and the two 
sat with Louis until daybreak. 

During this long time neither spoke until the 
baby had fallen asleep, and Jack was on the point 
of going out to milk the cow, when the little 
woman said in a tone very like that of fear, — 

“Wouldn’t it be a dreadful thing if I should 
be punished for telling a lie to Mr. Pratt, by 
losing Louis just now when we are living so 
comfortably?” 

“But you didn’t tell a lie,” Jack replied just 
a trifle impatiently. 

“Both you and I know I did, however much 
we may try to persuade ourselves tliat it isn’t so, 
and I am certain some punishment will follow.” 

Jack shook his head incredulously. 

He began to understand that it would be useless 
to attempt to convince Aunt Nancy she had 
not committed a grievous sin, and was disposed 
to lose faith in a religion which would condemn 
so good a woman for having saved himself and 
the baby from much trouble. 

To avoid paining her by saying what was in 


118 


Jack the Sunchhack. 


his mind, he went out to milk, and on returning 
found the baby sleeping naturally. 

“ He seems much relieved,” Aunt Nancy said 
as she put him to bed. “ He will probably 
sleep a long while, and you had better get some 
rest.” 

Jack insisted that he did not need any, and con- 
tinued doing such chores as he could find around 
the house until breakfast Avas ready, after which 
he proposed going to the post-office. 

“Now the letter is written it had better be 
mailed, an’ perhaps there are some things you 
Avant from the store.” 

“I do need a few notions ; but it seems too bad 
to have 5^11 Avalk so far this hot morning.” 

“It’ll do me good. I can be back by noon, and 
the Aveather Avon’t be very Avarm Avhile I’m goin’ 
over.” 

Aunt Nancy allowed herself to be pemuaded, 
because there really Avere some groceries she 
Avanted, and after making out a list Avith infinite 
care, cautioning him not to pay more than five 
cents a pound for the coarse sugar and eighty 
cents for the tea, she gave him a lunch to be eaten 
during the return journey. 

“ I don’t Avant you to stay any longer than is 
necessary ; but at the same time you mustn’t hurry 


Jack the Hunchback. 


119 


too fast,” she said, as he walked rapidly down the 
lane; and Jack replied, — 

‘‘ I’ll he hack by noon, unless something terrible 
happens.” 

Although the hunchback could not move as 
fast as more favored boys, he “ kept at it,” to 
use his favorite expression, and by this means 
was able to get over the ground with reasonable 
rapidity. 

He was travelling steadily on, thinking of the 
baby and Aunt Nancy’s apparently needless sorrow 
at having acted a lie during Mr. Pratt’s call, when 
he was aroused to a sense of what was passing 
around him by hearing the disagreeably familiar 
voice of Bill Dean, as he shouted, — 

“ Hold on there a minute, I want to see you.” 

Bill was coming across the fields at full speed, 
and, knowing he could not escape if the bully 
should pursue him. Jack halted. 

“ So you’re tryin’ to hide behind Aunt Nancy’s 
apron strings, eh?” Master Dean cried as he 
reached the road. 

“ I don’t know what you mean.” 

“ Oh, yes, you do. Didn’t you send her over to 
tell my father that I was goin’ to drive you out of 
town, an’ didn’t she let on about the lickin’ we 
give you?” 


IW Jack the Hunchback. 

“That was her business. I tried to stop her, 
for I can ’tend to my own battles.” 

“ Perhaps you can ; we’ll see about that later. 
Say, what of that man who was over here huntin' 
for you?” 

Jack’s cheeks grew pale. 

He understood to wligm Bill referred, and it 
seemed positive the whole stoiy would be known, 
despite the sacrifice made by Aunt Nancy. 

“ Haven’t got anything to say, eh? Well, I’m 
goin’ to see him, an’ tell where you are, then 
we’ll see how you like tattlers.” 

Jack was frightened beyond the power of 
speech. 

He had no idea hut that his enemy knew exactly 
where to find ]\Ir. Pratt, and firmly believed the 
time was near at hand when he and Louis would 
he forcibly taken away from Aunt Nancy’s kindly 
care. 

“ That don’t seem to strike you very well ! ” Bill 
cried with a laugh of triumph. “We’ll have this 
thing fixed up in short order, an’ then I reckon 
old Nancy will he ready to hire boys who know 
their business.” 

“What makes 3"ou jump down on me?” Jack 
asked piteously. 

“You know mighty well. We told you what 


Jack the Hunchback. 


mi 

to do, an’ you tliouglit we didn’t mean business. 
Now you’ll soon find out.” 

Jack hadn’t the heart to hold any further con- 
versation with his tormentor. 

His only thought was to hurry on that he might 
be alone where the matter could be calmly dis- 
cussed in his own mind, and walked swiftly 
away, followed by Bill’s jeering words. 

Now indeed he had a cup running over with 
sorrow. If his enemies knew of Mr. Pratt, it 
would not be long before that gentleman learned 
of his whereabouts, and it surely seemed as if the 
time had finally come when he must start out on 
the long journey, leaving behind the dearest 
friend he had ever met since the day when his 
mother crossed the dark river. 

“There’s no help for it,” he said resolutely, 
“an’ I’ve got to look at this thing right. Bill 
will tell the farmer right away, an’ the sooner we 
leave the farther we’ll be off when they come to 
find us.” 

Thus the matter was settled in his mind that 
the flight should be resumed at the earliest 
moment it might be safe to take Louis out of 
doors. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


12 ^ 


Chapter XI. 

GARDENING. 

It can readily be supposed Jack Avas not 
inclined to linger on the road after this inter- 
view with Bill Dean. 

That the latter would inform Farmer Pratt 
of his whereabouts he had no doubt, and this 
was a method of driving him “ out of town ” 
for which he was not prepared. 

Walking at full speed, running over the 
descending ground, and trying to keep on at a 
good pace when he ascended hills, the journey 
to Treat’s store was accomplished in a remark- 
ably short time. 

He found many customers before him, how- 
ever, and was obliged to wait until it should be 
his turn, although he felt quite certain every 
moment was precious. 

It was the proprietor of the establishment, 
who also acted as postmaster, that waited upon 
him, and while Aveighing out the “ notions ” 
Aunt Nancy had sent for, the gentleman said, 
as if answering his own question, — 


Jack the Hunchback. 


m 


“ So you’ve been hired by Aunt Nancy.” 

“ I’m stayin’ there a little while, sir.” 

“ You are, eli ? Where do you hail from ? ” 

J ack hesitated an instant, and then replied with 
a forced laugh, — 

“ I s’pose I oughter say I belong to the farm, 
’cause I haven’t any other home.” 

“ An orphan, eh ? ” 

“ Yes, sir.” 

‘‘ Where did your folks useter live ? ” 

Jack was not aware that Mr. Treat had the 
name of being the most inveterate gossip in the 
neighborhood ; but felt positive there was no 
good reason why he should satisfy his curiosity 
on this point, more particularly since, in view 
of Bill Dean’s threats, he wished to keep as a 
secret everything concerning himself, therefore 
said with an assumption of carelessness, — 

“ Almost anywhere. You see I was brought 
up to be a sailor.” 

“Sho! Is that* so? Well now I wouldn’t 
think you’d make much of a fist shinnin’ ’round 
on the riggin’.” 

“ Even if I am crooked I might be as spry as 
other fellers.” 

“That’s a fact; but you don’t look it”; and 
then the worthy Mr. Treat turned his attention 


Jack the Hunchhach. 


lU 

to the list Aunt Nancy had written for Jack’s 
guidance. 

When the goods had been made ready the 
proprietor of the store would have questioned 
the messenger further, hut the latter hurried 
away without replying to what he did not con- 
sider it was necessary strangers should know. 

Jack arrived at the farm unusually early, 
and Aunt Nancy exclaimed as he came up the 
lane looking heated and breathless, — 

‘‘Well, I declare! It does beat all how you 
can get over the ground! Wliy, I’ve known it 
to take Daniel Chick’s horse a good hit longer 
to go to the post-office and hack.” 

“ I was in a hurry to talk with you, an’ so 
come as quick as I could, for I’m afraid Louis an’ 
I must go away, even after all that’s been done.” 

The little woman looked up quickly in min- 
gled alarm and surprise. 

“Why, what has happened. Jack dear?” 

For reply the hoy repeated that which Bill 
Dean had said, and added in conclusion, — 

“ You see Mr. Pratt will he over here the 
minute he hears the news, an’ then everything 
is settled the wrong way.” 

“Are you certain Bill Dean knows where he 
lives ? ” 


Jack the Hunchback, 125 

“Of course he must, else he wouldn’t have 
said what he did.” 

“I’m sorry to have to doubt his word; but I 
couldn’t put the least dependence in a thing 
he says, and there are more than me in this town 
of the same opinion. Besides, he is too indo- 
lent to walk so far.” 

“Still there’s a chance he might send some 
word.” 

“You are right. Jack; but at the same time I 
wouldn’t borrow trouble. In case that man 
should come, you can find some way of keep- 
ing out of his clutches until I see the ’Squire.” 

“What good would that do?” 

“ I don’t know ; but it does seem as if we 
might prevent him from carrying you and the 
baby away when I’m not only willing but 
anxious to have you both stay with me. I 
don’t believe, there is any law to compel chil- 
dren who have a good home to go to a poor- 
house, and if there is the least bit more bother 
I’m going to have the matter settled once and 
for all in the ’Squire’s court.” 

Aunt Nancy spoke in such a decided tone, 
and seemed so thoroughly convinced there was 
a legal remedy for the trouble, that Jack felt 
relieved at once, 


m 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“ I could get out of his way, no matter how 
close he got to me; but there’s the baby. It 
might be I was where I couldn’t find Louis 
quick enough vdien the farmer came, an’ then 
he’d soon drag him away.” 

“The baby will be with me, and I promise 
you there’ll be no dragging when I’m around,” 
the little woman said with considerable dignity. 
“ Keep up your courage, and I’m sure we shall 
come out all right, except for that miserable 
action of mine yesterday. If I had told the truth 
then and defied him, things would seem a great 
deal smoother now.” 

“Then I’ll hold on a while longer.” 

“ Certainly, and in the future stay close 
around the house, so those terrible boys can’t 
make mischief. Did you ever do any garden- 
ing, Jack?” 

“Do you mean plantin’ seeds an’ makin’ ’em 
grow ? ” 

“ I mean cultivating the ground. No one 
can force the seeds to grow but He who rules 
over all. I would dearly love to have a few 
string beans and some cabbages, but it’s so ex- 
pensive hiring the land ploughed that I haven’t 
been able to afford it.” 

“ I could dig up a good deal with a shovel.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


m 


you’ll try it I will get the seeds, and 
perhaps we shall have the pleasure of harvesting 
our own crops.” 

Jack was so relieved in mind that he did not 
feel any fatigue because of the long walk, and 
insisted on beginning work in the garden at 
once. 

Despite all Aunt Nancy could say against it, 
he labored industriously with the shovel during 
the next two hours, and at the end of that 
time as much ground had been prepared as the 
little woman thought necessary. 

“ It won’t do to try too much at first,” she 
said musingly, as, with Louis in her arms, she 
watched the deformed boy make ready the small 
plot between the woodshed and barn. “ I’ll see 
about the seeds to-morrow, and it does seem 
as if we might put in more than cabbages 
and beans now that we’ve got so much room. I 
didn’t suppose you would care to dig up very 
much.” 

“ It isn’t such hard work but that I’d be willin’ 
to make one tAvice this size ; as it is, I reckon 
you can plant pretty nearly all you want.” 

Then Aunt Nancy, looking very grave as if 
the task was one of the greatest importance, 
measured the plo^- into rows, putting in little 


Jack the Hunchback. 


m 

bits of wood to mark where each kind of seed 
should be planted, and when it was finished she 
looked thoroughly happy. 

“We shall have a famous garden, Jack dear, 
and it won’t be necessary for me to spend so 
much money for vegetables when the summer 
boarders come. They always wonder why I 
don’t raise my own green stuff.” 

The garden and the plans concerning it gave 
both so much pleasure that, for the time being 
at least. Farmer Pratt was almost forgotten. 

The chores occupied Jack’s time during the 
remainder of the day, and when he retired it 
was to fall asleep almost immediately because 
of fatigue. 

Early next morning Aunt Nancy visited one 
of the neighbors to procure seeds, and when 
another night came every row was planted. 

During the three succeeding days Jack re- 
mained near the house, never going farther 
away than the main road, where he spent his 
spare time watching for Farmer Pratt. 

It surely seemed as if Bill Dean was igno- 
rant of the gentleman’s address, or, as Aunt 
Nancy had suggested, was too indolent to 
make the journey to Scarborough, for nothing 
was seen or heard of Tom’s father, and Jack 
began to feel a certain sense of security. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


Louis was as contented as a child well could 
be, and each day claimed more of the little 
woman’s affections until she actually began to 
look forward with dismay to the coming of the 
summer boarders, because then she could not de- 
vote to him so much of her time. 

Never once was the nightly search for bur- 
glars omitted; and when Jack asked why such 
a labor was necessary when it was positive no 
one could enter the house during the day with- 
out her knowledge, she replied with an ominous 
shake of the head, — 

“ We can’t say. Jack dear, what might hap- 
pen. I have done this same thing for the last 
fifteen years, and don’t intend to be careless 
now in my old ageJ’ 

“But you never found anybody, did you?” 

“ No,' and I hope I never shall ; but it 
would be impossible to sleep if I neglected 
what seems like a solemn duty.” 

On the fourth day after the garden was 
planted both Jack and Aunt Nancy visited, it 
twice to see if the seeds had sprouted, and 
several times did the sight of a weed cause 
them the greatest joy for a few moments, since 
it seemed certain something in the vegetable 
line had shown itself. 


130 


Jack the IIu7icliback, 


Like Farmer Pratt, Bill Dean remained out 
of sight, and the little woman was confident 
she had frightened him away. 

“We can count on being left alone this sum- 
mer, Jack dear, for he won’t show his head 
around here. In all the years I have lived on 
the farm, when I went to his father was the 
first time I ever made a complaint to a neigh- 
bor, and I hope it Avill be the last, for I do 
think people should avoid troubling others with 
such things. We are told that we must for- 
give our brother seventy times seven; hut there 
was no use in doing that by William, since it 
made no difference to him whether he was for- 
given or not.” 

Jack was not so confident that those who 
threatened to drive him away had relinquished 
their purpose ; hut he said nothing regarding 
his fears, since no good could come of alarming 
the little woman. The day on which the first 
cabbage showed two tiny leaves above the sur- 
face was a red-letter day for the amateur gar- 
deners. 

Aunt Nancy spent at least two hours admiring 
. it, and the seat under the big oak was abandoned 
at sunset in order that she might search for 
further proofs of their success. 


Jack the Hunchhack. 131 

“There is so much pleasure in having a gar- 
den that I shall never again be without one, 
that is,” she added with a sigh, “if I have you 
with me. I can’t bear to think that the time 
may come when we must part.” 

“May come? Why, it must come. Aunt 
Nancy. Just as soon as the weather gets cool, 
we are bound to sti^rt.” 

“I have been thinking perhaps Louis hasn’t 
any relatives living, and in that case what 
would prevent you and he from staying here 
until I go down into the valley of the shadow 
of death?” 

“Nothing would suit me better,” Jack replied 
emphatically. “ This is the first home I have 
ever known, and it will be hard to leave it.” 

“If you dor go. Jack dear, it will be a 
lonely old woman you leave behind. I had gotten 
accustomed to living alone ; but now it is differ- 
ent, and the house would seem deserted with- 
out you and the baby. Yet I am afraid some- 
thing of the kind must happen to punish me 
for telling Mr. Pratt a lie. It is tlirough a 
crime that I was enabled to enjoy your com- 
pany, and we know what are the wages of sin.” 

Jack was not disposed to allow the conversa- 
tion to continue in tliis channel. 

( 

I , 


Jack the Hunchback, 


He could not bring himself to believe the 
little woman had done anything wrong in let- 
ting Farmer Pratt think he and Louis were not 
there, and it made him impatient to hear her 
blame herself so severely. 

“You see, Aunt Nancy, we would have to 
leave whether you done as you did or not, for 
how can we tell whether Capt. Littlefield or 
his wife are alive unless we go to find out ? ” 

“ Oh, Abner will attend to all that ! He 
lived in York State so long that he knows 
nearly every one in it by this time, and when 
we hear from him the whole story must be 
known, for interesting himself in other people’s 
affairs is what exactly suits Abner.” 

Jack could not be satisfied with this reply. 

He believed implicitly everything Aunt 
Nancy told him, and she was so positive that 
there appeared to be no chance for doubt. 

The little woman was called from the con- 
templation of the garden by that which, for a 
moment, caused Jack the greatest alarm. 

The rattle of wheels was heard from the road, 
and an instant later Aunt Nancy said in sur- 
prise, — 

“ Mercy on us ! who can that be driving up 
the lane ? ” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


133 


“It is the farmer cornin’ for us!” Jack cried 
excitedly as he caught Louis from Aunt Nancy’s 
arms, and would have run off at full speed if she 
had not restrained him. 

“Wait a moment, my child. I don’t see any 
man in the wagon.” 

Jack looked quickly in the direction of the 
newcomers and then said, — 

“ There are two womeq, but one of them may be 
Mrs. Pratt.” 

Again he would have sought refuge in flight 
but for Aunt Nancy’s detaining hand. 

“It is only Mrs. Hayes and Mrs. Bonders. I 
suppose they have come to make a call, and what 
will they think at seeing the house in such con- 
fusign?” , 

Jack, now that his fears were allayed, could not 
repress a smile at the idea of Aunt Nancy’s house 
ever being in anything save a cleanly and orderly 
condition ; but the little woman appeared really 
distressed because she had not had an opportunity 
to inspect it thoroughly before receiving company. 

“Take care of Louis, and stay under the oak- 
tree until I come out again,” she said, hurrying 
away to receive the newcomers. 

Jack loitered near the barn where he would not 
be seen until the visitors had alighted, tied securely 


Jack the Hunchback. 


m 

the aged horse, whose only amhition appeared to 
he to remain motionless, and entered the house. 

Then, instead of doing as Aunt Nancy had 
suggested, he took Louis into the woodshed, 
amusing him there for nearly an hour, when the 
two ladies departed. 

“Where are you. Jack?” the little woman 
called softly when the horse had drawn the wagon 
and its occupants on to the highway. 

“What is the matter?” Jack cried, as on emer- 
ging from his place of retreat he saw a look of 
deepest anxiety on Aunt Nancy’s face. “Did 
they come here to take us away?” 

“It’s not quite as had as that,” the little woman 
replied with a long-drawn sjgh, “hut very nearly. 
What do you suppose the^^ wanted ? ” 

Jack didn’t even attempt to hazard a guess, and 
Aunt Nancy continued in a mournful tone, — 

“ They want to hold the monthly sewing circle 
here day after to-morrow ! ” 

“Well?” Jack asked, surprised that such a 
request should have caused so much distress. 

“¥/ell? Why, Jack, how can you treat it so 
lightly? Just think of it ! Only one day to clean 
house, go to the store, and do all the cooking ! ” 

“I don’t see that there’ll he very much to do in 
the way of cleaning house. It shines like a new 


Jack the Hunchback. 


135 


three-cent piece already, and how are you goin’ to 
make it look any better?” 

“O Jack! boys don’t understand about such 
things. You can’t see in the corners where the 
dirt always lodges, and the company will he sure 
to find everything that is slighted.” 

“Well, I can go to the store for you at least.” 

“ I wouldn’t allow you to take the chances of 
seeing William Dean even if you could do the 
errands, which is impossible. I must get Mr. 
Chick to carry me over in his team, and while I 
am away you and Louis are to stay in the house 
with the doors locked.” 

“ I don’t think there . is any need of that. 
Those fellers wouldn’t dare to come here.” 

“ I can’t believe they would ; but at the same 
time it will do no harm to he careful. Now what 
shall we have for supper?” 

“Do you mean to-night?” 

“Of course not. It doesn’t make any differ- 
ence what we eat for a day or two ; hut we must 
think very seriously of what is to he cooked for 
the circle.” 

“Have some of your nice biscuits and a piece 
of cake. If folks can get anything better than 
that, they deserve to go hungry.” 

“O Jack! you don’t understand such things. 


136 


Jack the Hunchhaeh. 


. I should be mortified almost to death if I didn’t 
do as well as Mrs. Bonders did when the circle 
met at her house last month.” 

Then Aunt Nancy, looking as if a heavy burden 
of care had suddenly fallen upon her, went in to 
the kitchen, taking Louis with her, that Jack 
might be free to milk the cow. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


137 


Chapter XII. 

LOUIS'S ADVENTURE. 

On this evening, immediately after supper had 
been eaten and the dishes washed, Aunt Nancy 
announced that it would be necessary for her to 
call upon Mr. Daniel Chick. 

“ If I wait until morning his team may not be 
at home, and, besides, I want him to be ready to 
make an early start. We must be back by noon 
at the latest.” 

“Why not let me go and tell him what you 
want?” Jack asked. 

“Because you don’t know where he lives, and 
then again it is necessary to pass Mr. Dean’s in 
order to reach his house. William might be at 
home, and who knows what would happen?” 

Then Aunt Nancy made a hurried toilet, cloth- 
ing herself in one of those quaint costumes which 
Jack did not think at all becoming, and said, as 
she entered the kitchen again, — 

“You must promise not to step your foot out 
of doors while I am gone. Keep everything well 


138 


Jack the Hunchback. 


locked, and if any one should happen to call don’t 
show yourself without first learning who they 
are.” 

Jack agreed, and while the little woman was 
al)sent he rocked Louis to sleep, swept the floor 
until one would have said a broom ought to be 
ashamed for going over such a cleanly surface 
with any idea of collecting dirt, and was in the 
“fore-room” with a lighted candle admiring the 
crockery rooster when Aunt Nancy returned. 

“It’s me. Jack dear!” she cried as she knocked 
softly on the door, and when it was opened, en- 
tered with the air of one who has been successful. 

“I got there just in time. He was going over 
to Henry Mitchell’s to tell him he’d haul gravel 
to-morrow; hut oL course he had rather go to 
Treat’s, for the work isn’t so hard on either him- 
self or his horse. Now we must get to bed early, 
for I told him I wanted to start by sunrise at the 
very latest.” 

“But, Aunt Nancy, you don’t mean that I am 
to stay in the house with the doors locked all the 
forenoon, do you? There are lots of things I 
could do ; but it would be pretty warm if there 
wasn’t any chance for air.” 

“I suppose you might have the doors open, 
provided you kept a sharp watch on the road, and 


Jack the Hunchback, 


139 


closed them again in case that Dean boy or his 
associates should come,” the little woman replied 
thoughtfully. 

“What shall I do?” 

“You could clean the knives and forks, and 
wash all the best dishes through two waters. Be 
careful when you wipe them. Jack dear, for it 
would be terrible if any should be broken.” 

After these arrangements had been made. Aunt 
Nancy remained silent a short time to free her 
mind from worldly thoughts, and then came the 
evening devotions, when the little woman prayed 
earnestly for the “weary and heavy laden,” which 
Jack thought was a reference to herself and the 
expected company. 

It was yet dark next morning when a noise 
from the kitchen aroused the hunchback, and 
hurrying down he found Aunt Nancy busily 
engaged preparing breakfast. 

“Why, you must have stayed awake all night!” 
he exclaimed in surprise. 

“Indeed I wasn’t so foolish as to do anything 
of the kind; but when I have work on hand I 
like to be about it, and goodness knows there’s 
plenty for me to do between now and to-morrow 
night.” 

“Did you wake Louis?” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


UO 


“No; let him sleep as long as he chooses. You 
can dress and give him some bread and milk?” 

“That part of it will be all right,” Jack replied 
confidently, and then he prepared to astonish old 
crumple-horn by appearing before her while it was 
yet so dark that she could hardly see the lunch 
of clover to which she was accustomed during 
milking time. 

Breakfast had been cooked, eaten, and the 
dishes washed before Mr. Daniel Chick and his 
venerable horse came up the lane. 

Aunt Nancy was not only ready for the journey, 
but had begun to grow impatient because of the 
delay, when he reined up in front of the broad 
stone step as he said in a cheery tone, calculated 
to soothe any angry feelings, — 

“Well, I must say you’re a master hand at 
gettin’ up. Aunt Nancy. ’Pears like as if you 
was allers on foot like a sparrer.” 

“I try to do what I have on hand in good 
season,” was the rather sharp reply. “There 
Avould be less poor folks in this world if 2)eople 
didn’t dally round in such a shiftless manner.” 

Mr. Chick knew full well that this remark was 
aimed especially at him ; but like a wise man he 
made no reply lest worse should follow, and 
turned the wheels of the wagon that the little 


Jack the Hunchback, 1^1 

woman might have no trouble in clambering on 
board. 

Aunt Nancy stopped only long enough to give 
some parting advice to Jack. 

“Be sure to keep a sharp watch on the road if 
you have the doors open,” she whispered, “and 
don’t go out, even into the yard, unless it is 
absolutely necessary, for nobody knows what may 
happen. When you wash the best dishes be 
careful. Jack dear, for I should feel very badly in 
case any Avere broken.” 

“I’ll attend to it in great shape. Aunt Nancy.” 

“Don’t give Louis too much milk at a time, 
the weather is so hot that it might curdle on his 
stomach ; and if I don’t succeed in getting home 
until afternoon, there is some cold meat and cake 
on the hanging shelf in the cellar. Don’t go 
without a lunch; it is very unhealthy to work 
Avhile you are hungry.” 

“Who’s dallying now. Aunt Nancy?” Mr. 
Chick cried as he tried to prevent his horse from 
nibbling at the honeysuckle-bush. 

“ If you had come as you agreed I should have 
had plenty of time to attend to matters,” was the 
sharp reply; and then with many injunctions for 
him to keep a firm hold on the reins, the little 
woman succeeded in gaining the rather shaky seat. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


“Take good care of Louis!” she cried as the 
horse ambled slowly down tlie lane ; and Jack 
re-entered the house feeling decidedly lonely at 
the prospect of being without Aunt Nancy for 
several hours. 

In order to occu})y his mind he set about the 
work laid out, and was so industrious that before 
the baby made known the fact of being awake, the 
knives and forks had been cleaned. 

Fully an hour was spent dressing and feeding 
Louis, after which he was allowed to play on the 
kitchen floor while his crooked guardian washed 
the “best dishes.” 

This was a task which required considerable 
time, and at eleven o’clock it was hardly more 
than half finished. 

Then again Louis wanted milk, and when it 
had been given him he insisted upon being al- 
lowed to go out on the doorstep. 

At first Jack was disposed to keep him in the 
house ; but when he became fretful, gave him his 
own way, as he said half to liimself , — 

“I don’t s’pose there can be any harm in lettin’ 
you stay here ; but if anything should happen, 
Aunt Nancy would think I had been careless.” 

After that he kept a strict watch over the baby, 
going to the door every few moments, and on each 


Jack the Hunchback. Ili3 

occasion finding Louis playing contentedly with a 
string of buttons the little woman had prepared 
for him. 

The fact that he showed no disposition to leave 
the broad stone caused Jack to have less care than 
usual, and this, coupled with the idea of cleaning 
the most elaborate dishes, rendered him oblivious 
to the flight of time. 

He was brought to a realization of what was 
passing around by hearing the rumble of a 
carriage in the lane, and almost before he could 
reach the door, Aunt Nancy was in the house, 
while Mr. Chick had driven away at the full 
speed of his very slow horse. 

“Did you get along all right. Jack dear?” the 
little woman asked, as she deposited an armful of 
bundles on the table. 

“Yes, indeed. You see there has been plenty 
of work, and it doesn’t seem any time since you 
left.” 

“ Where is the baby ? ” 

“On the doorstep. He fussed to go out, an’ 
I thought the fresh air wouldn’t do him any 
harm.” 

“Which doorstep ? ” 

“Why here, of course”; and Jack stepped for- 
ward only to give vent to a cry of alarm an 


m 


Jack the Hunchback. 


instant later. “ He isn’t here at all ! Where do 
yon suppose he could have gone ? ” 

Aunt Nancy was at the door before he ceased 
speaking, and gazed up and down the yard in 
bewilderment, but without seeing any signs of the 
missing baby. 

For an instant the two stood gazing at each 
other in perplexity, and then Aunt Nancy asked 
sharply, — 

“ How long since you saw him ? ” 

“ It didn’t seem many minutes before you came ; 
but I s’pose it must have been, else he’d be ’round 
here now.” 

“ Run up to the barn and see if he is there ! ” 

As she spoke the little woman went down the 
lane, returning just Jack came back. 

“He isn’t there,” the latter said. 

“Nor on the road. Of course he must be some- 
where near, for children can’t disappear entirely 
in such a mysterious fashion. Go uj) the lane and 
I’ll look back of the barn.” 

“But then we shall be leaving the barn alone 
You stay here an’ I’ll do the searchin’.” 

“ It wouldn’t make any difference if we left the 
house wide open for a month, I couldn’t stand 
still while that dear little baby is wandering 
around nobody knows where.” 


Jack the Hunchback. H6 

Jack understood that it would be useless to 
remonstrate, and started off at full speed. 

Up to the entire length of the lane he ran 
without finding that for which he sought, and 
then back to the house where he was met by Aunt 
Nancy on whose wrinkled face was written fear 
and anguish. 

She did not wait for him to tell her that the 
search had been in vain, but cried, — 

“ Go up through the field from the shed. There 
is a place where he might have gotten through the 
fence, and it would lead directly to the duck pond 
if he kept on in a straight line ! ” 

There was a tone in her voice which told of the 
fear she had regarding the possible ending of his 
adventures; and Jack, with a mental prayer that 
he would find the little fellow before it was too 
late, ran across the enclosure. Aunt Nancy going 
in the same direction, but at a slight angle. 

The little woman’s anxiety gave fleetness to her 
feet, and she travelled even faster than Jack could. 

Both called loudly from time to time, but with- 
out receiving any answer, and Jack’s heart grew 
heavy as he thought of what might have happened 
while he was in the house all unconscious of 
impending trouble. 

As the two neared the pond the figure of a boy 


1J^,G Jack the Hunchback. 

could be distinguished among the foliage of alders 
running at full speed toward the main road, and 
Jack shouted to Aunt Nancy, — 

“There goes one of Bill Dean’s gang. They 
know where Louis is.” 

This caused the little woman to redouble her 
cries, and a few seconds later two more boys could 
be dimly seen as they hurried away, keeping well 
Avithin the shelter of the bushes to avoid recog- 
nition. 

There' Avas no longer any question in Jack’s 
mind but that he Avould soon find the baby, nor 
Avas he mistaken. 

On arriving in vieAV of the pond both saAV a 
rudely constructed raft of fence rails at least ten 
yards from the shoie, and on it, croAving and 
laughing as if he Avas having the jolliest possible 
time sat Louis. 

“IIoAV can Ave reach him?” Aunt Nancy cried, 
as she stood Avringing her hands, Avhile the big 
tears ran doAvn her cheeks. “ He Avill surely be 
droAvned, Jack ! What is to be done ? ” 

The hunchback had no thought of his OAvn 
safety or discomfort as compared Avith that of 
rescuing the baby. 

Without hesitation he ran into the pond, 
continuing on at risk of being mired, until the 



< 










Jack the Hunchback, H7 

water was above his waist, and the baby held out 
his hands to be taken. 

“Sit still Louis, sit still an’ Jack will come to 
you!” 

It was impossible to run very fast through the 
water; and to Aunt Nancy, who stood on the bank 
in helpless grief, it seemed as if the deformed lad 
hardly moved, so slow was his progress. 

More than once did it appear as if the baby 
would attempt to leave the raft in order to meet 
his crooked guardian; but by dint of coaxing. Jack 
succeeded in persuading him to remain seated 
until he gained his side. 

Then he lifted the child in his arms, staggering 
ashore to where the little woman stood waiting 
to receive him, and the rescue was accomplished. 

Aunt Nancy alternately laughed and cried as 
she pressed Louis closely to her bosom, and Jack 
stood silently by, wondering whether he was to 
be scolded for having so grossly neglected his 
charge. 

It was several moments before she paid any 
attention to the older boy, and then it was to 
exclaim, — 

“Mercy on us. Jack! I had entirely forgotten 
you ! Run home as soon as possible, or you will 
catch your death a cold ! ” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


U8 

“A wettin’ won’t hurt me on a warm day 
like this. I’m used to such things.” 

“But you must change your clothes at once, 
and there’s no other way but to put on one of my 
dresses again.” 

Jack gave no heed to this suggestion, or 
command, whichever it miglit he called. He was 
trying to understand how the baby could have 
come so far without assistance, when Aunt Nancy 
said suddenly, — 

“It doesn’t take one long to realize how the 
dear little fellow came here. Those wicked boys 
must have found him near the shed, and brought 
him to this place.” 

Several poles lying near by told how the raft 
was forced toward the centre of the pond, and the 
fact that three fellows had been seen running 
through the bushes was sufficient proof, at least to 
Aunt Nancy and Jack, that Bill Dean and his 
friends had done the mischief. 

“I should forget everything I ought to re^ 
member if I had that Dean boy here this minute ! ” 
the little woman said angrily as she surveyed the 
evidences of the cruel work. “ It is a burning 
shame that such as he should be allowed among 
decent people!” 

“We don’t know for certain that it was Bill 
Dean,” Jack suggested. 


Jack the Hunchback. H9 

“ Yes, we do, for there is no other boy in this 
town who does such things. I shall see his father 
again, and when I do it will be very hard work to 
rule my spirit.” 

“It only makes them worse to complain.” 

“Then I will have him arrested!” And now 
Aunt Nancy spoke in such an angry tone that 
Jack did not venture to reply; but he knew from 
past experience that she would soon be sorry for 
having given way to her temper. 

Again the little woman spoke of Jack’s condi- 
tion as if she had not noticed it before, and 
insisted on his coming liome at once, although she 
could not have supposed he wished to go any- 
where else. 

Louis apparently had no idea he had been 
exposed to danger, but laughed and pulled at the 
tiny ringlets either side Aunt Nancy’s face until 
her anger vanished, and she said in a tone of 
penitence, — 

“Really, Jack dear, I get frightened sometimes 
when I realize how wicked I am growing. I can’t 
seem to control my temper in anything which 
concerns the baby, and goodness knows how it is 
all going to end. I began by telling a lie, and now 
say terrible things on the slightest provocation, 
though goodness knows this would have stirred up 


150 


Jack the Hunchback. 


almost any one. You see I took the first step, 
which is the hardest, and now fall before the least 
temptation.” 

“Yon oughtent talk that way. Aunt Nancy. 
If everybody was as good as you are, this would 
he an awful nice place to live in.” 

The little woman shook her head as if reproach- 
ing him for his words of praise, hut did not con- 
tinue the subject, because by this time they had 
arrived at the house, and it was necessary she 
should get the garments Jack had worn once 
before. 

Again the hunchback received a ducking under 
the pump, and then went out to the barn to 
make his toilet. 

“Come back as soon as you can, for I want to 
show you what I bought, and between us Ave must 
decide Avhat Ave shall have for supper to-morroAV.” 

When Jack returned to the house, Aunt Nancy 
had her purchases arranged on the table that he 
might see them to the best advantage, and then 
came the discussion of Avhat Avas a very impor- 
tant matter in the little Avoman's mind. 

^ I bought citron so as to make that kind of 
cake if you think it would be nicer than sponge, 
though I have ahvays been very fortunate in 
making sponge cake, and that is a good deal more 
than most people can say.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


151 


“Why not have both kinds? ” 

“I declare I never thought of that. It is the 
very thing, and I’ll begin at once while you finish 
the dishes. This time we’ll see if between both of 
us we can’t keep Louis away from those wicked 
boys. I got a nice ham, for that is always 
good cold, and I engaged two chickens from 
Daniel Chick. Had we better have them roasted 
or boiled ? ” 

“ I thought this was to be only a supper.” 

“ That’s what it is ; but it would never do to 
have but one kind of cold meat. Why, if you’ll 
believe me, Mrs. Souders had chicken, ham, and 
tongue, to say nothing of soused pig’s feet.” 

“Your supper’ll be better’n hers if you make 
plenty of hot biscuit.” 

“ I shall surely do that, and have loaf bi’ead 
besides. I wonder if you couldn’t wait on the 
table?” 

“ Of course I can. That was what I did on 
board the ‘ Atlanta.’ ” 

“ Then we shall get along famously. Now 
help me clear off one end of this table, and I’ll 
begin work.” 

The little Avoman at once set about the task of 
preparing food for the members of the sewing 
circle, and nothing was done without first asking 
Jack’s advice. 


152 


Jack the Sunchhach, 


Chapter XIII. 

THE SE>YING CIRCLE. 

So deeply engrossed was Aunt Nancy in the 
work of making ready for the supper, that the 
indignities offered Louis by Bill Dean and his 
partners passed almost unheeded for the time 
being. 

It is true that now and then she would speak 
of what had been done, announcing her intention 
of complaining again to Bill’s father ; but the 
words would hardly he spoken before something 
in the culinary line demanded her attention, and 
the subject would be dropped until a more con- 
venient season. 

Jack labored most industriously, heating eggs, 
sifting flour, washing pans, and keeping the Are 
roaring, thus doing his full share in the important 
preparations. 

Louis was forced to remain in the kitchen, 
despite his great desire to get out of doors; and 
both Jack and the little woman kept strict watch 
over him, but happily ignorant of the fact that 


Jack the Hunchback. 


153 


hidden within the friendly shelter of the alder- 
bushes were Bill Dean and his chums watching 
another opportunity to get hold of the baby as 
before. 

“ The sewin’ circle is goin’ over to old Nancy’s 
termorrer,” Bill said in a whisper, “an’ we won’t 
be smart if we don’t get a chance to square off 
with Hunchie.” 

“What do you count on doin’ ? ” Sam Phinney 
asked. 

“ That’s jest what we’ve got to fix up. The old 
woman will have her hands full of company, an’ 
it seems as if we miglit rig somethin’ that’ll pay. 
Hunchie won’t show himself outside the place, for 
he knows we’re layin’ for him, an’ our only show 
is to sneak in while the supper is goin’ on.” 

“We can easy get in the shed an’ wait for 
something to turn up,” Jip Lewis suggested; and 
the others thought this a very good idea. 

“ I’ll cook up somethin’ between now an’ then,” 
Bill said confidently. “ There ain’t much chance 
they’ll let that youngster out ag’in, so come, go 
over on the hill an’ see what the fellers there are 
doin’.” 

This liad the effect of causing the party to adjourn 
without anything having been accomplished save 
an agreement between the three that, during the 


Jack the Hunchback. 


15J^ 

meeting of tlie sewing circle something should be 
done toward settling matters with the boy who 
insisted upon remaining in town after they had 
warned him to leave. 

During the remainder of the day Aunt Nancy 
and Jack worked without ceasing in the kitchen, 
and when night came the arrangements for the 
company were so nearly completed that the little 
woman said with a sigh of relief when she and her 
crooked assistant were resting under the old oak, — 

“I declare. Jack dear, it is surprising liow 
much we have done since noon ! I never could 
have gotten through without you, and don’t 
understand what I did before you came.” 

‘‘I wish I could do more. It doesn’t seem as if 
I worked half hard enough to pay for what you’ve 
done to help Louis an’ me.” 

“Bless you, child, I’d be paid a dozen times 
over if I had nothing more than your company ; 
and as for work, why, you’ve done twice as much 
as Daniel Chick’s daughter would in the same 
time, and I should have paid her fifty cents, at 
least, if you hadn’t been here.” 

“ It doesn’t seem very much anyhow ; hut if 
you’re satisfied, why that settles it, of course. I 
wonder if Bill Dean’s crowd will try to get hold 
of Louis again ? ” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


155 


“Not after I’ve seen his father, and that’s just 
what I intend to do when the circle meetin’ is 
over. We had better get old crumple-horn in the 
yard now so we can go to bed early, for I count 
on being at work by sunrise to-morrow.” 

The chores were quickly done, the house 
searched once more for possible intruders, the 
evening devotions .concluded, and Jack went to 
his tiny room happy in the thought that he had 
been of considerable assistance to Aunt Nancy. 

The finishing touches were completed by noon 
on the following day, and the little woman was 
arrayed in all her antiquated finery to receive the 
expected guests. 

Jack had only the suit of clothes he liad worn 
at the time of leaving the “ Atlanta,” consequently 
very little could be done on his part toward 
“ di*essing up ” ; but his face shone from repeated 
applications of soap and water, his hair was 
combed until every portion of it looked as if it 
had been fastened in place, and his shoes had a 
very high polish. 

Louis’s white frock had been washed and ironed, 
therefore he was, as Aunt Nancy expressed it, “in 
apple-pie order, and as pretty a baby as ever came 
into Maine.” 

“ I suppose we shall have to put some of the 


156 


Jack the Hunchback. 


horses in the stable, Jack dear, for a good many 
of the people will ride, and the question is 
whether you could unharness them?” Aunt 
Nancy said as she sat in the ‘‘ fore-room ” awaiting 
the coming of the guests. 

“ I never did such a thing ; but it can’t be hard 
if a feller watches how the harness comes off.” 

“ You are smart enough to do almost anything. 
I’m certain there won’t be trouble,” Aunt Nancy 
said in a tone of conviction, and then the rumble 
of wheels on the lane told that the first of the 
“company” was coming. 

The newcomer was Mrs. Soudem, who drove a 
horse J ack felt confident he could unharness ; and 
as she alighted he stood by the head of the vener- 
able animal as he had seen regular grooms do in 
the city. 

From that time until nearly three o’clock the 
hunchback Avas kept very busy attending to the 
stable Avork. 

Not less than ten horses were driven into the 
yard, and he Avas expected to put them in a barn 
Avhere Avere but tAvo stalls, including the one 
it AVOLild be necessary to reserve for old crumple- 
horn. 

It was some time before he could solve the 
problem, but it was finally done by hitching 


Jack the Hunchback, 


157 


several to the fence outside, and standing the 
remainder on the tlu*ashing-floor. 

The matter of harness and carriages troubled 
him considerably ; but he believed the owners 
of the same would be able to recognize their 
property, therefore no attempt was made to keep 
them in regular order. 

When the visitors ceased to arrive, and Aunt 
Nancy told him she did not think any more were 
coming, he went to the pump for a thorough 
wash, and while thus engaged heard a certain 
portion of the conversation which came from the 
“ fore-room ” where the members of the circle 
were supposed to be working very hard to relieve 
the poor and distressed by supplying them with 
garments, each fashioned according to the fancy 
of its maker. 

Not for a moment would Jack have thought of 
deliberately playing the part of eavesdropper ; 
hut hearing reference made to Louis and himself, 
it was only natural he should linger longer than 
was absolutely necessary. 

Mrs. Souders was speaking when he first 
came near the house, and he heard her say quite 
sharply, — 

“ Why, Nancy Curtis, are you thinkin’ of 
adoptin’ a couple of children at your time of life, 


m 


Jack the Hunchback. 


an’ one of ’em a worthless cripple that’ll always 
be a bill of expense ? It seems as if you’d lived 
long enough in the world to be more sensible.” 

“I’d like to know, Sarah Bonders, why you 
think Jack is ‘worthless’?” the little woman 
asked in a tone of indignation. 

“Because he can’t be anything else. A hunch- 
back isn’t any better than a reg’lar invalid, an’ 
besides I’ve always heard it said they are terribly 
conceited.” 

“Then this one is an exception. I never had a 
girl on the farm that helped me as much as he 
does, and as for the baby — ” 

“That’s it exactly,” Mrs. Bonders interrupted. 
“ It seems that the cripple isn’t enough, but you 
are determined to make your cross heavier by 
taking care of a baby, when it would be better to 
think of restin’ your old bones.” 

“If it is a pleasure to me, it would seem as if 
nothing should be said against it,” Aunt Nancy 
replied mildly. “I only wish it might be possible 
for me to keep the little fellow as long as I 
live.” 

Then Jack heard that which told him Aunt 
Nancy was kissing the baby, and he said to him- 
self, — 

“If these people think Aunt Nancy has no 


Jack the Hunchback. 


159 


business to keep me here, I s’pose they are right, 
an’ I onghter go away.” 

“ Of course you’ve the privilege of doing as you 
please, Nancy Curtis,” Mrs. Souders continued, 
“but I must maintain that it is wrong for you to 
be obliged to support two helpless childi’en when 
it is hard work to make both ends meet. I am 
only sayin’ this for your own good, Nancy, an’ 
both Mrs. Ilayes an’ myself decided it was the 
duty of some one to talk with you about it.” 

The little woman made no reply to this, and 
Jack was forced to leave the pump, since his toilet 
had been completed. 

“They’ve made her believe it,” he said to 
himself as the tears would persist in coming into 
his eyes, “an’ it’s my place to tell her I’ll go. 
Then she won’t have any more trouble with Bill 
Dean’s crowd.” 

He firmly believed it was necessary he and 
Louis should leave the farm, and the knowledge 
that Aunt Nancy depended upon him during this 
day, at least, was a positive pleasure. 

It had been agreed he should wait upon the 
table. 

Such dishes as could not well remain on the 
overladen board were to be left in the small sum- 
mer kitchen, and the little woman had arranged 


160 


Jack the Hunchback, 


a system of signals by which he could under- 
stand what she wanted. 

Although it was yet too soon for supper, he 
went to his post of duty in order to be ready at 
the earliest moment Aunt Nancy should require 
his services, and there stayed, thinking mourn 
fully of what he had heard. 

In the mean wliile the stable was unguarded, for 
Jack had no idea danger was to be aj^prehended 
from that quarter, and at about the same time 
he entered the kitchen. Bill Dean said to his 
companions who had followed him into the 
shed, — 

“ I did have a plan for some fun, feud's ; but 
now there’s a bigger show than we ever struck. 
I don’t reckon Hunchie knows very much about 
harnessin’ homes, an’ even if he does we’ll set 
him wild.” 

“ How ? ” Sam asked in a whisper. 

‘Ht ain’t likely anybody will go out to the 
barn till after supper, is it ? ” 

“ Of course not.” 

“ Then all we’ve got to do is to sneak around 
back of the stable. I know how to get in from 
there, an’ we’ll mix them harnesses up in sich 
shape that even Mike Crane himself couldn’t put 
’em together in less’n one day.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


161 


“You’re a brick, Bill, at fixin’ things. Let’s 
hurry, for it’ll take quite awhile.” 

With decidedly more care than was necessary, 
the conspirators crept out of the shed, and, going 
around by the rear of the buildings, entered the 
barn where Jack had left the harness. 

There was not one in the party who would not 
have grumbled loud and long had he been 
obliged to work as rapidly and hard as was 
necessary in order to effect their pmpose; but 
since it was mischief instead of useful labor, 
neither so much as dreamed of complaining. 

The harness belonging to the teams driven by 
Mrs. Soudern and Mrs. Hayes received the greater 
portion of their attention. 

On them nearly every strap was shortened or 
lengthened, and other parts interchanged, until 
one not thoroughly familiar with both could hardly 
have recognized the original set. 

Each in tmm was overhauled, and when the 
mischief-makers left, the barn there was no ques- 
tion but that Jack would have great difficulty 
in untangling the snarl, even if he should ever be 
able to do so. 

“I reckon that will make all hands mad, an’ 
Hiqichie’s tlie one who is bound to get the blame,” 
Bi1ii\said with a chuckle of satisfaction as they 


162 Jack the Hunchback, 

stood for an instant at the rear of the barn. 
“Now where’ll we stay to watch the fun?” 

“ Out by the cow-yard. The grass is so tall 
nobody’ll ever see us.” 

This appeared to be a good idea, and the three 
adopted it at once, although all believed it must 
be several hours before Jack would be called upon 
to harness the horses. 

In the kitchen the deformed boy, with a heart 
so heavy it seemed as if he could never smile 
again, waited patiently until a bustle from the 
“ fore-room ” told that the guests were making 
preparations to discuss Aunt Nancy’s supper. 

“ They are getting ready to come,” the little 
woman said excitedly, as she entered the kitchen 
hurriedly. “ Help me fill these plates with biscuit, 
and then cover the rest over and leave them in 
the oven till they are needed. I wa? afraid I 
should have bad luck with my bread; but it 
seems to be all right.” 

“ Them biscuit couldn’t be better if the Queen of 
England had made ’em,” Jack replied emphaticall3^ 

“ I’m sure I don’t know what kind of a bread- 
maker she may be ; but I wouldn’t like to have 
it said that even a queen could do better than I, 
taking it the whole year through, an’ allowing 
for the trouble that yeast will sometimes cause.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 163 

Aunt Nancy wa3 ready to go into the main 
kitchen, which on this occasion had been converted 
into a dining-room, and Jack followed close be- 
hind with his hands full of plates. 

It so chanced that the guests had not waited 
to be summoned, but came from the ‘‘ fore-room ” 
under the pretence of assisting the little woman, 
and Jack, who was walking quite rapidly, intent 
only on carrying the dishes without accident, ran 
directly into Mrs. Bonders. 

That lady had never been celebrated for curb- 
ing her temper, and to-day she appeared to be in 
a very ill-humor, probably because of something 
which may have been said by her friends in the 
“ fore-room.” 

Therefore, instead of treating the matter as an 
accident, and acknowledging she had no busi- 
ness to be standing in the way of those who 
were working, she wheeled suddenly and gave 
the cripple a resounding blow on the ear, which 
sent him headlong, scattering plates and biscuit 
in every direction. 

“You little beggar!” she screamed, as her face 
grew crimson with rage. “I didn’t come here to 
have any of your low tricks played on me. If 
Nancy Curtis hasn’t got spirit enough to give you 
a lesson. I’ll do it myself.” 


16 If, Jack the Hunchback. 

She stepped quickly toward poor Jack, who 
stood silent and motionless surveying the wreck of 
Aunt Nancy’s best crockery, never for a moment 
thinking the guest had any idea of inflicting 
further punishment, and seized him by the coat 
collar. 

Jack involuntarily threw up his arm to ward 
off the blow ; but the heavy hand descended twice 
in rapid succession, and then it was grasped from 
behind as the little woman’s voice, trembling with 
suppressed rage, was heard, — 

“Sarah Souders, aren’t you ashamed to strike a 
cripple?” 

“Indeed I’m not when it is one like this, Avhose 
place is at the poor farm rather than in decent 
people’s houses and the lad}^ Avould have repeated 
the bloAv but for the fact that Aunt Nancy clung 
to her with nervous desperation. 

“Don’t you dare strike that child again, Sarah 
Souders!” she cried. “I am trying hard to rule 
my spirit, but the struggle may be too much for 
my strength, and then I shall say that Avhich 
would make me sorry afterward.” 

“You should be sorry uoav Avhen you reject the 
advice of your best friends,” Mm. Soudem replied; 
but she released her hold of Jack’s collar, and he 


Jack the Hunchhack. 


165 


began gathering up the fragments of crockery and 
bread. 

“If you mean that I ought to throAV these 
children, who have made 1113" life happier than it 
has been for many years, out on to a world of such 
hard-hearted people as 3^011, then it is time 3^011 
tried to understand the meaning of the word 
‘charity,’” the little woman said with a slight 
tremor *of the voice as she stepped back a few 
paces from her angry guest. “Tlie fault was 
yours, so far as his running into 3^011 was con- 
cerned. He was doing his work, and 3^011 were in 
his way.” 

“ I didn’t suppose your foolishness had gone so 
far that you would uphold the crooked little 
beggar when he deliberately insults one who has 
been your best friend.” 

“He had no intention of insulting you, and I 
do not want him called a beggar, for he isn’t. 
Even though he was, I have yet to learn that 
poverty is a crime.” 

“I see plainly this is no place for me. Tlie 
most 3"OU can do now is to turn me out of doom.” 

“I do not wish to do anything of the kind, but 
feel called upon to advise that 3"ou think the 
matter over before speaking again.” 

“That is sufficient, Nancy Curtis, quite suf- 


166 


Jack the Hunchback. 


ficient. Jane Hayes, will you go with me, or do 
you prefer to remain ? ” 

“I shall stay here,” Mrs. Hayes replied; and 
with a fling of her skirts, Avhich was prohal)ly 
intended to express both indignation and injury 
received, Mrs. Soudem sailed out of the room. 


Jack the Hunchhack, 


1G7 


Chapter XIV. 

AFTER THE STORM. 

Jack, who liad gathered up tlie fragments and 
swept the crumbs from the floor, now looked 
about him in alarm. 

The sense of having been wrongly treated wns 
overpoAvered by the thought that he was the 
cause, hoAvever innocent, of })lunging Aunt Nancy 
into iiCAV troubles. 

It seemed just then as if he was pursued 
by some unkind fate Avhich brought to him and 
those who befriended him all manner of misfor- 
tune. 

During fully a minute after Mi‘s. Souders 
drifted so majestically from the room, not a Avord 
Avas spoken. 

Aunt Nancy stood leaning against the table, a 
vivid red spot gloAving on either cheek, and hold- 
ing her hand over her heart as if to repress its 
beatings. 

The guests gathered around her, each trying 
at the same time to express her opinion of Avhat 


168 


Jack the Hunchback. 


had occurred, — a proceeding which resulted only 
in a perfect Babel of confusion. 

The little woman soon recovered her composure 
sufficiently to remember her duties as hostess, and 
said to Jack in a low tone, — 

“ Do you think you can harness Mrs. Souders’s 
horse? We mustn’t forget the courtesy we owe 
a guest, no matter what has happened.” 

“ I can do it if she will show me which wagon 
an’ harness is hers. You see there were so many 
teams cornin’ all at once I couldn’t keep run of 
’em.” 

“ Go out and do the best you can. Very likely 
she Avill be at the stable by the time you get 
there.” 

Jack hurried away feeling rather uncertain as 
to what the result would be when he was alone 
with the angry woman, but determined to remain 
silent whatever she might say. 

On reaching the barn he had but little dif- 
ficulty in deciding upon the carriage he believed 
belonged to Mrs. Souders, and was backing it 
into the yard when that lady arrived. 

“ Are you so stupid that you can’t tell one 
wagon from another ? ” she asked sharply. 

“ Isn’t this yours, ma’am ? ” 

“No, it isn’t, and you know as well as I do.” 


Jack the Hunchhack. 


169 


“I never saw it but once, an’ that was when 
there were a good many here. If you’ll pick it 
out, an’ show me the harness. I’ll soon have the 
horse hitched up.” 

“ I suppose Nancy Curtis told you to get rid 
of me as soon as possible ; what you did in the 
dining-room wasn’t enough, eh ? ” 

“Indeed she didn’t; an’, if you please, ma’am, 
I couldn’t tell where you was goin’ to step when 
I had my arms full of dishes.” 

“You needn’t talk to me. If Nancy Curtis is 
fool enough to put you above your place, it’s 
no reason why you should think others haven’t 
good sense. That is my carriage, and the sooner 
it is ready the better I’ll be pleased.” 

Jack wheeled out the vehicle she designated, 
and then asked, — 

“Now will you tell me which is your harness 
an’ horse?” 

“You’re a bigger fool than I took you to be,” 
was the reply, as the lady rushed like a small-sized 
tornado into the barn, and, after some difficulty, 
succeeded in finding the animal, which was hitched 
with the others on the thrashing-fioor. “Couldn’t 
even find a stall for him ! I don’t know what’s 
come over Nancy Curtis since you brats arrived at 
this place ! ” 


170 


Jack the Hunchback, 


Then she examined the pile of harness, ex- 
pressing her opinion very forcibly because Jack 
had laid them on the floor instead of hanging 
each set on pegs ; hut to find her own was more 
than she could do. 

“Take any one of them,” she finally said in 
an angry tone, wiping the perspiration from her 
flushed face. 

Jack obeyed without a word, but, thanks to the 
efforts of Bill Dean and his partners, neither he 
nor Mrs. Bonders could gear the horse. 

One set of harness was much too large, and 
another so small a goat could hardly have worn 
it, while all were strapped together in the oddest 
fashion. 

This Mrs. Bonders believed was owing to Jack’s 
carelessness or ignorance while unharnessing the 
horses, and the more she struggled to fit one 
without regard to ownership the greater became 
her anger, until it was almost beyond bounds. 

“My husband shall hear of this,” she said 
wrathfully. “Put that horse right back, and he 
will come over to undo your wicked tricks. Don’t 
speak to me, you little pauper,” she cried as the 
cripple was about to reply; and dealing him a 
blow on the ear which sent him reeling against 
the animal, the lady walked rapidly out of the barn. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


171 


Jack rubbed the injured member an instant, 
looked about ruefully, wondering what could 
have happened to the harness, led the home back 
to his place, and went out of the barn just in time 
to see Mrs. Bonders sailing around the corner of 
the lane into the main road. 

He walked slowly to the house, arriving there 
as the guests had seated themselves at the table, 
and Aunt Nancy, who looked as if she had been 
crying, asked, — 

“Why didn’t Mrs. Bonders go with her team?” 

Jack told the story of the bewitched harness, 
adding in conclusion, — 

“ I took every piece off as carefully as I knew 
how, and laid them on the floor, because there 
wasn’t any pegs or nails to hang them on. Now 
it seems like as if nothing was right, an’ in the 
whole lot we couldn’t find a single thing which 
would fit.” 

The guests looked at each other in surprise and 
alarm, probably thinking if Mrs. Bonders didn’t 
succeed in getting her team with the entire collec- 
tion to choose from, their chances of leaving Aunt 
Nancy’s save by walking were exceedingly slim. 

A flood of questions were poured forth on the 
hapless Jack, who could only repeat his former 
statement. 


m 


Jack the Hunchback. 


The matter was now becoming so serious that 
Aunt Nancy’s inviting meal no longer had suffi- 
cient charms to command their attention, and the 
entire party insisted on visiting the barn at once 
to ascertain for themselves the true condition of 
affairs. 

With the baby in her arms, Aunt Nancy led 
the way. 

Bill Dean and his friends, seeing the procession 
coming, were not at a loss to divine the meaning 
of this sudden exodus from the house. 

“ This is gettin’ too hot for us,” Bill said in a 
whisper. ‘‘With all them old women around 
we’ll be found for certain, an’ the quicker we skin 
out of here the safer we’ll be.” 

His partners were of the same opinion, only a 
trifle more frightened, and their terror caused 
them to do a very foolish thing. 

Instead of crawling under shelter of the grass 
until they were at a safe distance, Sam and Jip 
leaped to their feet, running at full speed toward 
the road. 

As a matter of course Bill was bound to follow 
the example, thinking how pleased he would be 
to have his hands on Jip for a single moment in 
order to punish him for his cowardice, and thus 
the conspirators stood revealed. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


173 


“I think we can understand now what has 
happened to the harness,” Mrs. Hayes said as she 
pointed towards the fugitives, “and I for one say 
it’s time that Dean boy was made to believe it is 
dangerous to play such tricks.” 

The red spots came on Aunt Nancy’s cheeks 
again as she gazed after tlie retreating figures, and 
from the nervous working of her fingers Jack 
understood she was using every effort to “ rule her 
spirit.” 

As she stood silent and motionless, heeding not 
the fact that Louis was pulling her ringlets out of 
shape, some of the other ladies continued on to 
the barn, and a single glance at the mismated har- 
ness convinced them it was useless to attempt 
straightening matters. 

“It is foolish to stand here while' the biscuit are 
getting cold,” Mrs. Hayes finally said. “Let us 
go and get supper, after which there will be plenty 
of time to think over what should be done.” 

The majority of the party shared this opinion, 
and Aunt Nancy was literally led back to her own 
home, while the guests divided their attention 
between the bountiful supper and a discussion as 
to how Bill Dean and his associates could best be 
suppressed. 

None of the party had had more than three cups 


17 Jt, Jack the Hunchback. 

of tea when Mr. Souders arrived looking very warm 
because of his long walk, and decidedly angry in 
consequence of the report made by his wife. 

He first demanded an interview with Jack, who 
was sitting in the kitchen fully occupied with his 
mournful thoughts ; but when the ladies began to 
explain matters relative to the mischief done, he 
could not but believe the hunchback was innocent 
of the charges brought against him by Mrs. Souders. 

“I’ll take Bill Dean in hand myself,” he said 
with an ominous gesture. “There is jJenty of 
time for that ; but I reckon fixing things in the 
barn will last longer. Can you lend me the 
cripple for a while. Aunt Nancy?” 

The little woman called Jack, explained that 
he was to assist the gentleman, and as the two 
went toward the barn she said feelingly, — 

“It makes very little difference what people may 
say, although I would rather have the good will of 
a dog than his ill will ; but if I can prevent it that 
boy shall not leave this farm unless relatives come 
forward to claim him.” 

Several united with Aunt Nancy in praising 
Jack, and since the others remained silent there 
was no opportunity for a disagreeable argument. 

It did not require many seconds for Mr. Souders 
to see that the harness had been tampered with. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


175 


and he said in a cheery tone, which was a delight- 
ful contrast to the one used a short time previous 
by his wife, as he j)ulled off his coat, — 

“I reckon you an’ I have a big contract 
ahead of us, my boy. It would puzzle a lawyer to 
fix all these as they should be, and the most we 
can hope for is to put the sets together so the 
old women may go home. We’ll begin with mine, 
an’ see what can be made of the job.” 

It was a long and tedious task, and before it 
had been half completed Jack was so well 
pleased with the gentleman that he said confiden- 
tially, — 

“ Mr. Souders, I don’t want you to think I tried 
to insult your wife. It was an accident which I 
couldn’t prevent, an’ you see for yourself I wasn’t 
to blame for this muss.” 

“ Don’t worry about it, my boy. Mother is a 
leetle hot-headed with a powerful dislike to young- 
sters ’cause she hain’t got any of her own ; but I’ll 
venter to say she’s sorry as a cat this very minute 
for what’s been said an’ done. If you knowed her 
little ways you wouldn’t mind anything about it ; 
but I’m put out to think she laid her hands on a 
poor cripple like you.” 

“It wasn’t that which made me feel so bad as 
to have her think I would act mean.” 


176 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“ She don’t believe a word of Avhat she said hy 
this time, an’ for that I’ll go hail. There’s no 
use talkin’ ’bout it now ; I allow you’ll see her 
ag’in mighty soon. Have you been havin ’a great 
deal of trouble Avith Bill Dean?” 

Jack was not disposed to tell very much lest 
it should he thought he Avas complaining; but 
Mr. Soudem finally succeeded in draAving from 
him a full account of the threats made. 

“You sha’n’t he troubled any more, my hoy, that 
I’ll answer for. Bill is pretty Avild, hut I reckon 
we can tame him doAvn a bit before another day 
goes hy.” 

“ I Avouldn’t like any of the felloAVS to say I’d 
been carryin’ tales, sir.” 

“Neither have you. Aunt Nancy’s life is bein’ 
Avorried pretty nigh out of her, an’ that’s enough 
to give me a right to interfere.” 

Jack did not think it proper to tell anything 
more regarding his experiences Avdth the village 
boys, and, as a matter of fact, would have pre- 
ferred saying nothing whatever to j\Ir. Souders 
until he had talked Avith Aunt Nancy. 

Before the gentleman left the barn he so far 
sorted out the harness that it was possible to gear 
up his OAvn team, and Jack thought best to get 
each one ready Avhile he had the opportunity to 
call upon such a valuable assistant. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


177 


When the two returned to the house the supper 
was ended, and one of the ladies held Louis in 
her arms while Aunt Nancy and several of the 
guests washed the dishes. 

Then Jack milked old crumple-horn, and when 
the last of the visitors departed all of tlie chores 
had been done, therefore nothing prevented he 
and Aunt Nancy from discussing the events of 
tlie day. 

“ I can’t say I’m sorry William Dean cut up as 
he did,” the little woman said, “ for it has given 
Mr. Senders a chance to see what he really would 
do, and there is reason to believe the boy will be 
obliged to mend his ways.” 

Jack had very little interest in Bill Dean at 
that moment. 

He was thinking only of the conversation he 
heard from the “fore-room,” and had determined 
the matter should be settled finally before he 
retired. 

“It seems as if most of the folks think I 
oughtn’t to stay here makin’ you feed me,” he 
began. 

“Bless my soul, what lias put that idea into 
your head, 1113^ child? ” 

“I heard wdiat Mrs. Souders said in the front- 
room before supper.” 


178 


Jack the Hunchback. 


Aunt Nancy looked around quickly as a shade 
of displeasure passed over her face. 

“I’m sorry you did hear it, Jack dear; but you 
must not be so foolish as to let it Avorry you. 
I am old enough to attend to my own affairs, 
and, even if I wasn’t, Sarah Souders is not the one 
to whom I should go for advice.” 

“But, Aunt Nancy, my being here makes trouble 
for you with your neighbors, and I have been 
thinking it would be better for Louis an’ I to go 
away at once.” 

“Your being here has very little to do with the 
trouble I may have. It is my OAvn wicked self. 
I began by telling a lie to that man from Scar- 
borough, and one sin surely leads to others. You 
are of great assistance to me, and I should be 
more sorry than I can say if you Avent aAvay.” 

Jack Avas about to make some reply, but be- 
fore the Avoids could be spoken. Aunt Nancy 
checked him by laying her hand on his shoulder 
as she said, — 

“Don’t argue the matter. Jack dear. We 
are all tired enough to go to bed, and Ave’ll make 
ready by searching the house again. After Avhat 
has happened since noon it Avouldn’t surprise me 
the least little mite, if Ave found half a dozen 
burglars in hiding.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


179 


Chapter XV. 

BROTHER ABNER. 

When Jack retired on this night he was far 
from feeling comfortable in mind. 

Aunt Nancy had literally obliged him to cease 
speaking of the matter, and during the evening 
devotions prayed so fervently that she might 
be forgiven for acting a lie, it really distressed 
him. 

She had done it solely for him, and he felt per- 
sonally responsible for her mental trouble. 

It caused the little woman great anxiety as 
he could well understand from the fact that she 
referred to the subject very frequently, and never 
ceased to sue for pardon. 

As has been said. Jack did not think the little 
woman did any great wrong ; but since she believed 
it, the case was as serious to her as if a deadly 
crime had been committed. 

He remained awake a long while trying to 
decide what should be done, and more than once 
was he tempted to run the risk of calling upon 


180 


Jack the BuyiehhacTc, 


Farmer Pratt to explain all the circumstances, in 
order to relieve Aunt Nancy’s mind. 

To do this would be, as he firmly thought, 
neither more nor less than voluntarily condemning 
himself to the poor farm ; but Louis would be safe 
from the ignominy, and he would he doing the 
little woman a very great favor. 

He had decided upon nothing when sleep 
visited his eyelids, and on the following morning 
there was so much to be done around the house he 
could not find any opportunity to study the subject. 

Aunt Nancy believed it necessary to clean nearly 
every portion of the house, and as a matter of 
course he assisted. 

Louis was really neglected on this day. Hav- 
ing been allowed to play on the floor to his 
heart’s content, neither his crooked guardian nor 
Aunt Nancy paid very much attention to him. 

Not until late in the afternoon was the labor 
brought to a close, and then the tired ones sought 
rest under the big oak. 

Jack was about to broach the subject which 
occupied the greater portion of his thoughts, when 
the rumble of wheels at the end of the lane 
caused him to look up in alarm. 

“ Who Js that ? ” he asked excitedly, fearing 
lest it might be a messenger from Farmer Pratt. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


181 


“ Only Deacon DoAvns. He sometimes stops on 
his Avay home from Treat’s store to see if anything 
is needed. I buy a good many vegetables of 
him.” 

On this occasion the deacon had not called for 
any such purpose. 

He reined in his horse near where Aunt Nancy 
was sitting, and, refusing her invitation to “get 
out and visit,” unbuttoned his coat in a deliberate 
manner, saying sloAvly as he did so, — 

“ I found this ’ere for you down to Treat’s, an’ 
kinder ’lowed you’d be wantin’ it.” 

Then fully a moment more was spent before the 
article referred to was produced, and, meanwhile. 
Aunt Nancy Avas in a mild state of excitement 
through curiosity. 

“ Something for me ? What is it. Deacon ? ” 

“ Wait till I find the pesky thing. I put it in 
this pocket so there shouldn’t he any chance of 
losin’ it, an’ noAV I Avouldn’t he surprised if it 
had slipped out.” 

Aunt Nancy came close to the wagon Avatching 
the old gentlemanis every movement, her face ex- 
pressing the liveliest impatience ; hut the visitor 
did not gratify her curiosity until having found 
that for AAdiich he sought. 

“ Here it is,” he said, as he handed her a let- 


m 


Jack the Hunchhack. 


ter, “ an’ seein’s how it’s stamped Binghamton, 
I wouldn’t be surprised if it was from Abner, for 
I don’t reckon you know anybody but him in 
York State, Nancy?” 

“ Of course it’s from Abner, and you gave 
me almost a shock. Deacon, for I couldn’t im- 
agine what yon had found of mine.” 

“ I don’t allow there’s any bad news, eh ? ” 
and the visitor waited as if expecting Aunt 
Nancy would open the letter at once. 

“It’s only in regard to some business. Dea- 
con,” the little woman replied in a tone which 
told she did not intend to read the missive un- 
til she should be alone. 

“I don’t reckon he’s thinkin’ of cornin’ here 
this summer?” 

“ Dear me, no. Abner’s getting too old to go 
gallivantin’ ’round the country very much, an’ 
it’s a 2)owerful long journey from here to York 
State.” 

“You’re right, Nancy; but you know Abner 
allers was a master hand at travellin’.” 

Then the deacon, despairing of getting a 
glimpse of the letter, urged the aged hoi’se into 
a slow trot, and the occupants of the Curtis 
farm were alone once more. 

“ The deacon is a real obliging neighbor,” 


Jack the Hunchhack. tSS 

Aunt Nancy said as the rumble of wheels 
died away in the distance, “hut terribly inquis- 
itive. He thought I would read Abner’s letter 
so he’d know what was going on, and perhaps 
I might have done so if it hadn’t been con- 
cerning your business, which should be kept to 
ourselves.” 

“ Do you s’pose he has found out anything 
about Louis’s father ? ” Jack asked, eager to 
learn the contents of the letter, but not feeling 
at liberty to hurry the little woman. 

“I don’t think there is any doubt about it”; 
and Aunt Nancy tore open the envelope with 
a slowness and deliberation which was almost 
provoking. 

During the next five minutes Jack waited 
impatiently to hear “ brother Abner’s ” reply ; 
but nothing was said until the letter had been 
read carefully twice over, and then Aunt 
Nancy exclaimed as she took off her specta- 
cles, — 

“ Well, I declare ! ” 

“ Does he know the captain ? ” 

“ He’s never heard of him ! It’s so surprisin g 
when I think of how many people he used to 
be acquainted with when he lived here.” 

“ What does he say about it? ” 


ISJi, 


Jack the Hunchback, 


“ Nothing of any consequence, and writes as 
if he was provoked because I asked the question. 
Wants to know how I suppose he can find a man 
who was exploded in a vessel at sea ; and I can’t 
say hut there is considerable good sense in his 
asking that, for of course when the ship blowed 
to pieces that settled the whole thing.” 

“ But the captain might have been saved, and, 
besides, while we were in sight the ‘Atlanta’ 
looked whole and sound as before the explosion.” 

“ But if she didn’t go to pieces why hasn’t the 
captain come after his son ? ” 

This was a question which Jack could not 
answer, and had to remain silent. 

“According to Abner’s story, he don’t know 
many of the York State folks except them as 
lives in Binghamton. Perhaps he’s settling 
down, and isn’t as newsy as when he was with 
me.” 

“If he can’t help us, what are Louis an’ I 
to do?” 

“ Stay here, of course.” 

“But, Aunt Nancy, I must try to find Louis’s 
relations, even if his father and mother are dead.” 

“ I reckon you’re hound to do that somehow ; 
but there’s no sense in trying to walk to New 
York while the weather is so hot.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


185 


Then the little woman, as if believing the mat- 
ter had been tinally settled, began to speak of the 
subject which was very near her heart, and for at 
least the hundredth time Jack was forced to listen 
to her lamentations because of the equivocation 
when Farmer Pratt called. 

It was particularly hard for him to remain 
quiet during her self-accusations, for now that 
it was useless to expect “brother Abner” could 
do anything in the way of learning the details 
concerning the fate of the good ship “Atlanta,” 
it seemed in the highest degree important to 
decide upon some course of action. 

He was well content to stay where he was 
a certain time; but it seemed as if he should 
have at least some idea of what was to be done in 
the future. 

Aunt Nancy did not give him an opportunity to 
discuss the matter, however, and when the hour 
came to search the house for supposed burglars he 
was in a fine state of perplexity. 

On the following morning it seemed as if the 
little woman had dismissed all such thoughts from 
her mind, for whenever she spoke to Jack it was 
upon anything rather than how he might best 
accomplish that which he believed to be his duty. 

He noticed she was particularly tender toward 


186 


Jack the Hunchhack. 


Lotiis, and gave him an nn usual amount of atten- 
tion when she thought he and she were alone. 

It was on this day Mrs. Bonders called, and 
dining fully half an hour was closeted with Aunt 
Nancy, after which she met Jack in the yard when 
her greeting was more than cordial, Imt never a 
word was spoken in reference to the incidents of 
the day she allowed anger to overcome judg- 
ment. 

Since Jack liad not expected anything in the 
way of an apology, he was agreeably surprised hy 
the change in her manner toward him, and felt 
that ample reparation had been made. 

Wliat the lady may have said to Aunt Nancy 
will never be known, for the little woman main- 
tained the most perfect secrecy regarding it, 
despite the fact that Jack questioned her as closely 
as lie dared. 

It was on the evening of this day when they were 
sitting under the old oak, and Louis was playing 
in front of them, that Bill Dean walked boldly 
into the yard, accosting Aunt Nancy as if he and 
she were on the most fiiendly terms. 

Jack was so thoroughly surprised that he ex- 
perienced the sensation of one who has sud- 
denly been plunged into cold water, for the 
assurance of the boy was more than he could 


Jack the Uunchhack. 


187 


understand until Master Dean handed Aunt 
Nancy a printed circular, as he said, — 

“ I’ve been hired to carry these around, an’ 
I know you alters go to camp meetin’, so I 
stopped here first. I s’pose you think I’m 
kinder tough; but them as come here lookin’ 
for jobs without wantin’ to work ain’t so good 
as you believe they are.” 

“ I don’t intend to argue with you, William ; 
but you know very well I have good reason to 
feel harsh toward you.” 

“ Why, what have I done ? ” and Bill looked 
as innocent as a lamb. 

“ It would be better if you asked what you 
haven’t done,” and the little woman spoke in 
the most severe tone. “ In the first place you 
drove away a well-disposed boy last summer, 
and are now trying to do the same by poor 
little crippled Jack.” 

“I don’t see how you can say sich a thing. 
Aunt Nancy”; and Bill assumed an injured ex- 
pression. 

“ Didn’t you mix up the harness when the 
circle met here, and didn’t you try to drown 
the baby ? ” 

“ Me drown a baby ? ” Bill cried in a horrified 
tone. 


188 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“ Yes, it was you and your friends who 
carried him to the duck pond and set him 
adrift on a raft.” 

“ Now, Aunt Nancy, it ain’t riglit to talk 
agin me in this way”; and a stranger would have 
said that Bill was on the point of crying. 

“ AYhy, AYilliam Dean, I saw you running 
away! ” 

“ I ain’t sayin’ yon didn’t ; but that’s 
nothin’ to do with the baby. AYhen I came 
across the field he was at the j)ond, an’ - I 
didn’t know what he might do to my raft. Be- 
fore I got np to him he was sailin’ like all pos- 
sessed, an’ when you came I run away for fear 
you’d want me to wade in after him.” 

Aunt Nancy’s eyes opened wide in astonish- 
ment at this marvellous story, and while she 
felt convinced it was false, she would not accuse 
him of telling a lie Avithont having something 
in the way of evidence against him. 

“At least I knoAV yon fought with Jack 
because he Avonldn’t promise to go away,” she said 
after quite a long pause. 

Louis’s guardian tried to prevent this last remark 
by a look, but was unsuccessful, and Bill replied 
boldly,— 

“ There ain’t any use sayin’ I didn’t, ’cause it’s 


Jack the Hunchback. 


189 


true; but us fellers only was doin’ what we had 
a right.” 

“What do you mean by that?” 

“ Why, we’ve got a license from the s’lectmen 
to do all the chores ’round this neighborhood, an’ 
had to pay a mighty big price for it. Do you 
s’pose we’ll let any other fellei-s come in an’ take 
the bread an’ butter outer our mouths after we’ve 
scraped the cash together to pay the town tax for 
that kind of business ? ” 

This statement was rather more than even Aunt 
Nancy could credit, and she said quite sharply, — 

“William Dean, I won’t have you standing 
there telling such wrong stories ! You must think 
I’m a natural born idiot to listen.” 

“It’s the truth all the same, and if Hunchie 
don’t clear out he won’t get along very easy. 
Good by, Aunt Nancy, I s’pose I’ll see you 
at camp meetin’, for all the old maids will be 
there.” 

Bill did not linger in the lane after this last 
remark, but went quickly out into the highway, 
leaving the little woman literally gasping with 
surprise and indignation. 

“It’s no disgrace to be an old maid,” she said 
when it was once more possible for her to speak ; 
“but I won’t have an impudent boy like William 


m 


Jack the Hunchback. 


Dean throwing it in iiiy face as if it was some- 
thing to he ashamed about.” 

“I wouldn’t pay any ’tention to him,” Jack re- 
plied consolingly. “You’re nicer than any woman 
I ever saw, an’ he’d be only too glad if you was 
as much of a friend to him as yon are to me.” 

Aunt Nancy leaned over and kissed the little 
cripple on the forehead as she said in a low 
tone, — 

“ Yon are a good boy. Jack dear, and would be 
a great comfoid to me if we were never to part 
until the good God calls me home.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


191 


Chapteh XVI. 

A HURRIED DEPARTURE. 

It was not until the following morning that 
Aunt Nancy paid any particular attention to the 
circular regarding camp meeting which Bill Dean 
had brouglit. 

Then, as Jack came in from milking, she said 
with a suddenness which caused the hoy to start 
in surprise, — 

“ I have been thinking about the camp meeting. 
What is your opinion ? ” 

“I don’t know what you mean.” 

“ You remember the paper which William Dean 
brought last night?” 

‘‘ Yes.” 

“ W ell, it was the time-table of the trains which 
run to the grounds. Somehow your coming 
upset me so I had forgotten all about the meeting, 
and if I should miss it, it would be the first time 
since I was quite a young girl.” 

“ When does it begin ? ” 

“ Day after to-morrow.” 


199 . 


Jack the Hunchback, 


“ Why don’t you go ? I can stay here an’ take 
care of crumple-horn and Louis well enough.” 

“ Bless you, child, I wouldn’t think of leaving 
you alone three or four days.” 

“Would you he gone as long as that? ” 

“A great many stay the whole week, and I did 
one year ; but it was almost too tedious.” 

“Well, both’ of us couldn’t he away at the 
same time, an’ — ” 

“Why not?” 

“ Because the cow must be milked an’ put in 
the barn.” 

“ Daniel Chick’s daughters have always done 
that for me, and would again.” 

“ But what about Louis ? ” 

“ I have been wondering whether I couldn’t 
take him with me.” 

“It would be terrible hard work to lug a baby 
’round all the time.” 

“ If you went I should he relieved of the 
greater portion of that care.” 

“It seems as if you had pretty nigh made up 
your mind already.” 

“There is only one thing which prevents me, 
and I can’t figure it out,” the little woman said 
with an air of anxiety. 

“What is it?” Jack asked in surprise. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


193 


“ I don’t know that it is prudent to spare the 
money. You see it won’t be long now before the 
summer boarders come, and it costs a great deal 
to get ready for them.” 

Jack could make no reply. This was a ques- 
tion about which he was ignorant, and there was 
a certain hesitation on his part regarding tlie dis- 
cussion of such a subject when he could do noth- 
ing to forward the matter by pecuniary aid. 

No more was said until after breakfast, 
when Mrs. Hayes came in, looking excited and 
breathless. 

“Haven’t you done anything about going to 
camp meeting, Nancy Curtis?” she cried, as she 
swung the big rocking-chair around and would 
have sat on Louis liad not Jack called her atten- 
tion to the fact by pulling the baby from his dan- 
gerous position. 

“I was just speaking about it, but don’t know 
as I shall go.” 

“But you must, Nancy. The children can stay 
at my house.” 

“If I went they would go with me,” the little 
woman replied, in a tone which told she was not 
Avilling to discuss that question. 

“Very Avell, there is nothing to prevent. 
Daniel Chick will take his big tent, and lie says 


19]^, Jack the Hunchback, 

you’re welcome to use as mucli of it as you 
want.” 

“ He is very good, I’m sure.” 

“ And you’ll go, of course ? It wouldn’t seem 
like a camp meeting if you wasn’t there ; and, 
besides, we always look to you for the coffee. 
Deacon Downs says it’s one of the pleasures of the 
week to drink Aunt Nancy’s Mocha.” 

“I do try to get the best, and when that has 
been done any one can make it good,” the little 
woman said as her withered cheeks flushed with 
pleasure at the compliment, while never for a 
moment did she fancy this praise might have been 
given only that she should supply the occupants 
of the tent with their morning beverage. 

“Then it is settled, you will go?” and 
Mrs. Hayes arose to her feet. “ I can’t stop a 
minute, but felt I must run over to find out if 
you’d begun preparations.” 

“I haven’t, and whether you see me there or 
not depends. I will let you know to-mori-ow.” 

“ But you must go, because we won’t take no 
for an answer.” 

Aunt Nancy shook her head as if to say 
the matter was very uncertain, and the visitor 
took her departure, insisting that the townspeople 
“ couldn’t get along without their coffee maker.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


195 


“ I’m sure I don’t know wliat to do,” the little 
woman said with a long-drawn sigh when she and 
Jack were alone. 

“ If you haven’t money enough, why not leave 
me an’ Louis here alone? I’ll be awful care- 
ful with the house, an’ there can’t any accident 
happen.” 

“I’m not afraid ^to trust you. Jack dear; but as 
I told Mrs. Hayes, it isn’t to be thought of for a 
minute.” 

“ Ain’t there some way I might earn the 
money?” 

“Bless you, no, child. Even if I was willing 
you should do such a thing, there isn’t any time. 
The most expensive part of it is that I have 
always furnished the coffee for all in the tent, 
and it does take a powerful lot to go around. 
Why, Deacon Downs himself can drink three cups 
of a morning, an’ then look around sort of wish- 
fully for another. I always give it to him, too, if 
there’s enough left in the pot.” 

Jack felt very badly because he could do 
nothing toward helping the little woman out of 
her difficulty, while Louis laughed and crowed as 
if he thought the whole affair decidedly comical. 

Aunt Nancy bustled around the house perform- 
ing a great deal of unnecessary work, her forehead 


196 


Jack the Hunchback, 


knitted into a frown which showed she was think- 
ing the matter over in the most serious fashion, 
and Jack watched her every movement. 

Finally the problem was solved, for her face 
lighted up as, taking Louis in her arms and 
seating herself in the rocking-chair, she said 
cheerily, — 

“I don’t think William Dean would attempt to 
make trouble for you now, Jack dear.” 

“Neither do I. Mr. Souders probably scolded 
him for mixin’ up the harness, and he won’t 
bother me.” 

“Do you feel quite certain of that?” 

“Indeed I do.” 

“Then would it be too much of a walk for 
you to go to Treat’s store ? ” 

“Of course it wouldn’t, Aunt Nancy. You’ve 
only to say the word, an’ I’ll be oft’ like a shot.” 

Jack had seized his hat as he spoke, and ap- 
peared to be on the point of rushing away without 
waiting for the message, when she stopped him by 
saying, — 

“There’s no need of such haste. It will take 
me some time to fix the errand so you can do it. 
Last season Daniel Chick farmed the back field 
for me on shares, and I liave quite a lot of wheat 
on hand. Mr. Treat wanted to buy it, and 


Jack the Hunchback. 


197 


now I’m going to accept his offer. In case he 
still wants it, you must bring back some things 
from the store.” 

“ Am I to get the coffee ? ” 

“No, that would be too large a bundle. I’ll 
write Mr. Treat a letter, and the remainder of the 
business you can arrange.” 

Jack was delighted at being able to do some- 
thing toward settling the vexed question, and 
waited very impatiently for the little woman to 
make her preparations. 

This was quite a long task because a letter was 
to be written, and after that a list of articles pre- 
pared ; but finally Aunt Nancy completed the 
work, and Jack set off at full speed with a gen- 
erous supply of bread and butter in a neatly tied 
parcel. 

He returned before she fancied lie could have 
more than gotten there, and brought with him 
the goods required. 

“Mr. Treat says he’ll tell Daniel Chick to 
haul the wheat, and you shall know how much 
there is as soon as it can be weiglied. If you 
want anything more you shall send for it.” 

“ Did he say I could have some money ? ” Aunt 
Nancy asked anxiousl}^ 

“ He told me to tell you to call on for cash or 


m 


Jack the Hunchback, 


goods up to thirty dollars, for he was certain it 
would amount to as much as that.” 

“ Then everything will be fixed without any 
trouble, and I will tell Mrs. Hayes we shall go to 
the camp meeting. Now, Jack dear, lie doAvn a 
little while and get rested so you can help me. 
We must do a great deal of cooking before to- 
morrow night.” 

During the remainder of the afternoon and the 
day following, the household was in as great a 
state of confusion and excitement as when arrange- 
ments were being made for the sewing circle. 

Aunt Nancy, assisted by Jack, cooked provisions 
sufficient to have kept a much larger family in 
food fully two weeks ; hut the little woman 
explained she “ never liked to go to camp meet- 
ing without having something to give those who 
might come hungry.” 

The neighbors, and, more particularly. Deacon 
Downs, had called to ascertain if “ tlie coffee 
maker ” was really going, and Daniel Chick 
promised to come for her with his wagon at an 
early hour the following morning. 

The deacon agreed to attend to the transporta- 
tion of the Mocha, and on the evening before the 
journey was to he made everything appeared to be 
in “apple-pie order,” although to Aunt Nancy’s 


Jack the Hunchback. 


199 


eyes the house was far from being in a proper con- 
dition. 

Jack was both tired and excited. 

The prospect of going to a camp meeting pleased 
him wonderfully, for he had never attended one, 
and fancied it was something intended for sport 
rather than anything serious. 

The baskets were^ packed ; Louis’s suit of white 
clothes stiff with starch and without a blemish ; 
Jack’s boots were polished until they shone like a 
mirror; and Aunt Nancy spent considerable time 
bewailing the fact that she could not afford to buy 
him a new coat and pair of trousers. 

Not until late was the little woman ready to 
retire, and it appeared to Jack as if he had just 
fallen asleep when she awakened him to milk the 
cow. 

After feeding the animal it seemed as if a very 
long time would elapse before it would be pos- 
sible for him to do the same again, and he 
patted her sleek sides affectionately as he ex- 
plained that one of Mr. Chick’s daughters would 
take his place during the next three or four days. 

It isn’t very likely the animal understood what 
he said, but she was perfectly willing to part with 
him, since it was to exchange the stuffy barnyard 
for the cool, inviting pasture. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


WO 

The milk was strained and put out on the door- 
steps for Miss Chick, since Aunt Nancy could not 
take it with her, and then a hurried breakfast was 
eaten. None too soon, either, for the meal had 
just been finished when Mr. Chick drove up, 
fretting considerably because the party were not 
ready to get into the vehicle instantly he ar- 
rived. 

Half a dozen times was Jack sent to make 
certain this door or that was fastened securely, 
and the owner of the wagon worked himself into 
a state of profuse perspiration before Aunt Nancy 
finally announced she was ready. 

Jack thoroughly enjoyed the ride to the depot, 
four miles away. 

The odor of the flowers and grasses was heavy 
on the cool air ; the birds sang their hymns of 
thanksgiving that the new day had come;, and 
the trees whispered together of the goodness of 
the Creator in making for his creatures such a 
beautiful place in which to live. 

“ It seems almost wicked to enjoy a scene like 
this when there are so many poor people who 
never see the country from one year’s end to 
another,” Aunt Nancy said, as she looked around 
in delight; and Mr. Chick replied, speaking much 
as if he had a cold in his head, — 


Jack the Sunchhack. 201 

‘‘It’s for us to take all the eiijiment that conies 
in this world, an’ leave others to bear the burdens 
which are put upon them.” 

“If that is good doctrine, Daniel Chick, I’d 
like to know how you’d fancied a dose of it when 
you was down with the rheumatiz an’ depended 
upon the neighbors to gather the crops ? ” 

“That was a different matter, Nancy Curtis.” 

“ In what way ? ” 

“Well, you see — I — I — p’rhaps I can’t ex- 
plain it so’s you an’ the children can understand ; 
but there was a difference.” 

“Only because you can’t put yourself in the 
situation of others. The Golden Rule is good 
enough for me yet, and I don’t think I’ll change 
it for yours.” 

This brief conversation had no effect on Jack, 
nor would he have thought it an important mat- 
ter if Mr. Chick had attempted to prove the 
little woman was wrong. His faith in Aunt 
Nancy was so great that whatever she said was 
to him a truth not to be disputed. 

On arriving at the depot it was learned they 
were fully an hour too early for the train, and 
Jack mourned the fact that he might have re- 
mained at home long enough to put the barn in 
better order. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


It was a large party who intended to make the 
journey on this morning, and to Jack’s dismay he 
saw Bill Dean and his particular friends arrive 
about half an hour hef ore the time for leaving. 

If it had been possible he would have remained 
out of sight; but the station was small, and Aunt 
Nancy insisted he should stand where she could 
keep her eyes on him, consequently it was not 
many moments before Master Dean recognized 
him. 

“ Oh, dear ! fs he going ? and must we be in fear 
and trembling of him all the time we stay?” 
Aunt Nancy said pathetically as she saw the 
three boys approaching. “ Keep close to me, J ack 
dear, and if he attempts any mischief I’ll appeal 
for help to Deacon Downs.” 

Bill, however, did not intend to commit any 
overt act while there were so many around who 
would not hesitate about dealing out justice to 
him without delay. 

He contented himself by walking slowly around 
Aunt Nancy and Jack, as he said to Jip Lewis, — 

“ I didn’t think we stood so much of a chance 
to have a good time at camp meetin’ this year. 
Here’s Hunchie with the old maid, and we’ll see 
that they don’t get lonesome.” 

Fortunately Aunt Nancy did not hear him. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


203 

otherwise she might have said something which 
would have provoked further and louder threats. 

Jack, however, could distinguish every word, 
and before the three tormentors finished their 
promenade he regretted having accompanied the 
little woman. 

“ I ain’t afraid they’ll get very much the best 
of me,” he said to himself ; “ but there isn’t goin’ 
to he a great deal of fun if I’ve got to keej) my 
eyes open for them all the time.” 


Jack the Hunchback* 




Chapter XVII. 

CAMP MEETING. 

When the train drew up at the station, Jack 
was relieved at seeing his tormentors take their 
places in a car far ahead of the one he and Aunt 
Nancy occupied. 

He anticipated no slight amount of enjoyment 
from this ride behind the iron horse, and it 
would be sadly marred if he was forced to listen 
to such remarks as Bill Dean and his friends 
would probably make. 

Aunt Nancy sat by the window with Louis in 
her arms, and Jack took the seat beside her, 
watehing everything around with the most intense 
interest, for it was the first time he had ever 
journeyed so far on the cars. 

The little woman would have spent consider- 
able of the money received from the sale of the 
wheat in buying for her crippled escort such 
articles as the newsboy brought, in the hope of 
tempting customers; but for the fact that Jack 
prevented her by whispering more than once, — 


Jack the Hunchback. 


W5 

“ You’ve paid enough for me already in buyin’ 
the railroad ticket, an’ you must save some to get 
things for the summer boarders.” 

“Bless you, child, I ought to be able to take a 
little pleasure now and then without thinking 
constantly of how many pennies there are in a 
dollar.” 

“But this time. Aunt Nancy, you are not 
using it for yourself. If you want any of the 
stuff, why, it’s only right you should have it, but 
don’t buy anything for me.” 

Then the little woman whispered as she laid 
her hand affectionately on his shoulder, — 

“ It’s a comfort to have you around. Jack dear, 
for you are always thinking of others and never 
of yourself.” 

“A crooked feller like me don’t need as much 
as other folks, an’ I’m sure I get more’n I deserve.” 

“That could never be, my child,” Aunt Nancy 
replied ; and J ack fancied she wiped a tear from 
her eye, but it might have been nothing more 
than a cinder. 

Judging from Louis’s expressions of delight, he 
would have been pleased had the journey con- 
tinued all day, and even Jack was a trifle disap- 
pointed because the tenting grounds were reached 
so soon. 


206 


Jack the Hunchback, 


The place at which they disembarked was not a 
village, but only a grove of pine-trees bordering 
the ocean, with a broad strip of shimmering white 
sand between the foliage and the water. 

It was a little settlement of canvas houses 
among the pines, the gleaming Avhite showing 
vividly amid the sober green, and the dusty paths 
here and there resembling yellow ribbons laid on 
to complete the harmony of color. 

Jack would have remained a long while silent 
and motionless gazing in delight at the scene 
before him, now and then raising his eyes to 
view the heaving emerald bosom of the sea be- 
yond, but that Aunt Nancy was impatient to 
‘‘settle down” before the morning services should 
begin. 

“It looks pretty, I know. Jack dear, but we 
mustn’t stand dawdling here, because there is 
considerable work for us to do. I’ll carry the 
baby, and you see what can be done with the 
bundles.” 

The two were literally laden to the utmost of 
their strength, as they stepped from the railway 
platform. 

Such generous supplies had the little woman 
brought for their bodily comfoi't that quite an 
amount of the belongings would have been left 


Jack the Hunchback, 


m 


behind but for Deacon Downs, who kindly offered 
to take charge of the remainder of the goods. 

In order to find Mr. Chick’s tent it was only 
necessary to follow the party with whom they had 
travelled, and in a few moments the little Avoman 
Avas arranging her provisions in one corner of the 
huge tent which had been reserved for her use. 

Jack hovered around helplessly. 

He wanted to do something toAvard aiding 
Aunt Nancy, but camp life was so ncAv to him 
he could do nothing more than Avatch her bird-like 
movements. 

After pinning a toAvel around Louis’s neck to 
avoid the possibility of soiling his white frock, the 
little Avoman gave him a small slice of bread and 
butter, offering some to Jack, but the latter was 
not hungry. 

“ If you don’t care, I’d rather go down to the 
beach a little while.” 

“ You shall do that later. Jack dear, but the 
morning services will commence very soon, and I 
want you Avith me then.” 

“Will it be a reg’lar meetin’ where people 
preach an’ pray like they do in a church ? ” 

“ Certainly, my child ; and this is a church, for 
don’t you remember it is said ‘the groves Avere 
God’s first temples’?” 


Jack the Hunchback, 

Jack didn’t remember anything of tlie kind, for 
his education had been so sadly neglected he 
could not read any but the smallest words, there- 
fore made no answer, and as soon as Louis Jiad 
satisfied his hunger the three went to the cleared 
space where the services were to be held. 

Jack watched everything around him with 
intense interest, and, it must also be said, to such 
a degree that he failed to hear a single word 
spoken by the preacher. 

Aunt Nancy sat with a look of devotion on her 
face, which to Jack was very beautiful. 

After a time the boy saw the tears rolling down 
her cheeks, and listened to the words from the 
pulpit in order to learn what had caused such 
apparent sorrow. 

The clergyman was speaking of those who keep 
the word, but not the spirit of God’s laws, and he 
failed to find in the teaching anything which 
could distress the little woman. 

When the sermon was concluded and the three 
were walking slowly through the grove, he under- 
stood better. 

“It seemed as if the minister was talking 
directly to me. Jack dear,” she said with quiver- 
ing lips. 

“ I didn’t hear him say anything that sounded 


Jack the Hunchback, W9 

like it, Aunt Nancy, an’ I listened a good deal of 
the time.” 

“It was the passage about obeying the word 
but not the spirit which applied to my case. You 
see I didn’t speak a lie to Mr. Pratt, and might 
try to comfort myself with the idea I had not 
disobeyed the commandment ; but the meaning of 
it is, I shouldn’t deceive in the slightest manner.” 

“ I wish we hadn’t come here if you’re goin’ to 
think of that thing again.” 

“Again, Jack dear? Do you fancy it has ever 
been out of my mind ? ” 

“I thought you’d kinder got over it.” 

“But I hadn’t, and perhaps I was led to come 
here that I might realize even more fully what I 
have done.” 

“There isn’t any need of that. Aunt Nancy”; 
and Jack began to look distressed. “Please put 
it out of your thoughts for a while, an’ we’ll go 
down on the beach.” 

“I can’t, my child. You shall stroll around 
an hour, after which you must come back to the 
tent for dinner.” 

Jack hardly thought he ought to leave the 
little woman while she was feeling badly, but she 
insisted on his domg so, and he walked slowly 
away saying to himself, — 


^10 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“I never knew religion hurt anybody; but I 
think Aunt Nancy has too much of it if she’s 
goin’ to fuss so over Farmer Pratt. It won’t do to 
let her feel as she does, an’ the whole amount of 
the story is I’ll have to leave Louis here while I 
take the chances of gettin’ into the poorhouse by 
explainin’ things to him.” 

So deeply engrossed was he in his thoughts 
that no attention was paid to anything around 
until he was brought to a standstill by hearing a 
disagreeably familiar voice cry, — 

“Hold on, Hunchie, we want to know where 
you left the old maid!” 

Jack had halted involuntarily, and now would 
have moved on again in the hope of escaping from 
Master Dean and his friends, but they barred his 
way by closing in upon him. 

There was a large crowd on the grounds surging 
to and fro, therefore the three boys had little 
difficulty in forcing Jack to move in this direction 
or that as they chose, by pretending the press was 
so great they could not prevent themselves from 
being pushed against him. 

“We’re goin’ down for a swim,” Bill Dean 
said as he linked his arm in the hunchback’s, 
“an’ it’ll just about break our hearts if you can’t 
come with us.” 








Jack the Hunchhack. 211 

“I don’t want to do anything of the kind. 
You know very well a crooked feller like me 
couldn’t swim, no matter how hard he tried.” 

“ We’ll show you how, so don’t be frightened”; 
and Bill motioned for Sam and Jip to force the 
intended victim along in the desired direction. 

Jack knew perfectly well he could not struggle 
successfully against his tormentors, but at tlie 
same time he did not intend allowing them to 
take him away from the throng where he might 
find assistance if necessary. 

“ I don’t want to go with you, and sliall ask 
some of these people to help me if you don’t go 
away.” 

“ Then you’d only be makin’ it all the hotter for 
yourself, ’cause we count on stayin’ here the 
whole week, an’ you can’t he tied to the old 
maid’s apron strings every minute of the time.” 

“ I’ll take my chances of that, so keep off or I’ll 
make a disturbance.” 

Bill had good reason to believe the cripple 
would carry this threat into execution, and, not 
wishing to come in direct contact with the 
guardians of the peace, concluded to bring their 
sport to a close. 

“ Of course if you don’t feel like cornin’ nobody’s 
goin’ to make you, so we’ll say good by.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


As he spoke he gave a quick twist of his foot 
in front of Jack, at the same instant Jip pushed 
from behind, and the result was the cripple fell 
forward on his face, in the gravel and sand. 

The three hoys were off like a flash, and as 
Jack rose to his feet after some effort, with dusty 
clothes and a bleeding face, his heart was filled 
with anger. 

“ If I was only strong enough I’d soon show 
them fellers what it is to pick on a fellow they 
thought couldn’t help himself ! ” 

He had hardly said these words when a man 
brushed past him with the air of one who feels he 
has a right to considerably more than half the 
road, and looking up quickly Jack saw Farmer 
Pratt. 

For an instant he thought the man was pursu- 
ing him, and would have taken refuge in flight, 
had not the idea occurred to his mind that Mr. 
Pratt had come to camp meeting for the same 
purpose as Aunt Nancy. 

“I’m foolish to think he’s still chasin’ after 
me,” he said to himself, “ though I s’pose he would 
take Louis an’ me with him if he saw us.” 

Without knowing why he did it. Jack followed 
a short distance behind the farmer, as if it was 
necessary to retain him constantly in sight, and 


Jack the Hunchback. 213 

while doing so thought of Aunt Nancy’s distress 
concerning the alleged lie. 

Now surely would be a good time to sacrifice 
his own comfort in order to ease her mind by 
taking upon his shoulders the blame, and he ran 
forward intending, for an instant, to speak with 
the gentleman. 

Then it occurred to him that it would be 
proper to consult the little woman first, and he 
turned back only to doubt again. 

It might distress Aunt Nancy yet more to know 
the farmer was on the grounds, and Jack wished 
he knew of some one who could give him the 
proper advice. 

Deacon Downs was the only person he could 
think of, and yet he ought not to tell him of what 
Aunt Nancy had done. 

“I’ve got to settle this thing myself,” he said 
as he turned resolutely in the direction of the 
tent, “ and the next thing to do is to talk with 
Aunt Nancy herself. She knows more goodness 
than all these people put together.” 

His mind once made up, he was eager to reach 
the tent, and ran at full speed, arriving just as 
Deacon Downs summoned the occupants of this 
particular dwelling to dinner. 

The little woman was acting as cook, a post of 


Jack the Hunchback. 

duty to wliicli she had been elected each year be- 
cause the remainder of the party knew she would 
perform the arduous labors without complaint. 

To speak with her now would be to attract the 
attention of all, and Jack believed he should wait 
until a more convenient season. 

Therefore he seated himself at the rough table 
around which all the others, save Aunt Nancy, 
were gathered, and tried unsuccessfully to appear 
as if nothing unusual had occurred. 

Jack’s face told of some trouble, however, and 
when the deacon had refreshed himself with a 
large cup of Aunt Nancy’s Mocha, he asked in a 
severe tone, — 

“ Master Dudley, is it possible that after living 
with as good a woman as Sister Curtis, you allow 
your passions to tempt you into fighting? Don’t 
you remember what Dr. Watts says about letting 
‘ dogs delight to bark and bite, for ’tis their 
nature,’ et cetera?” 

Perhaps Jack might have understood the 
deacon’s question, had it not been for the last 
word. 

What an “ et cetera ” was he hadn’t the slightest 
idea, and instead of replying sat staring stupidly 
at his plate until Aunt Nancy came forward and 
asked, — 


Jack the Hunchback, 


<215 


“What is it about Jack? Has he been doing 
anything out of the way ? ” 

“ By the appearance of his face I sliould say he 
had. It is strange boys will fight in such a place 
as this ! ” 

“Why, what has happened to you, Jack dear?” 
the little woman asked anxiously as she lifted the 
boy’s head by placing her hand under his chin. 

Jack said nothing, and Aunt Nancy asked, as 
the crimson spots appeared on her cheeks, — 

“Has William Dean been troubling you again ? ” 
“ I had rather tell you some other time,” Jack 
replied in a whisper, as he slipped down from his 
seat at the table and went toward the scene of the 
little woman’s culinary operations. 

She followed him at once, and the good but 
rather inquisitive deacon craned his neck in vain 
to hear what passed between the two. 

“It was Bill Dean; but don’t say anything 
about it noAV, for I’ve just seen Farmer Pratt,” 
Jack said in a low tone; and as Aunt Nancy 
started in surprise, a cry of distress came from 
Deacon Downs’s lips. 

At the moment Jack spoke, the little woman 
was in the act of removing the coffee pot from the 
stove, for fear its contents should boil over, when 
it fell to the ground. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


^16 

Neither Aunt Nancy nor the hunchback paid 
any attention to this catastrophe; but the deacon 
was so angry he even threatened that Jack should 
not be allowed near the tent again. 

It is doubtful if his words were heard by the 
two who were in such distress of mind. 

Aunt Nancy led Jack to the rear of the tent, 
and there, where no one could overhear, he told 
the whole story, concluding by saying, — 

“You have felt so bad I had a great mind 
to go right up an’ tell him how it happened you 
acted a lie.” 

“But, Jack dear, then he might drag you off to 
the poor farm.” 

“I had rather do that than have you feel as you 
do about it. Louis could stay here, an’ I wouldn’t 
tell him where you were, no matter how hard he 
might try to make me.” 

“I should go to him myself and confess all,” 
the little woman said after a pause. 

“Then the chances are he’d get hold of both 
Louis an’ me. If it is to be done, I oughter do 
it.” 

“I declare I don’t know what is best” ; and Aunt 
Nancy stood with clasped hands as if expecting 
Jack would advise. “It is only right I should 
atone in some way for that which I did; but 


Jack the Hunchback, 


<217 


the flesh is indeed weak when it comes to part- 
ing with either of you.” 

“Perhaps there might be some way for me to 
get clear, an’ you’d feel so much better that I’d be 
contented to stay almost anywhere.” 

The little woman made no reply; she remained 
silent so long Jack began to be afraid she was 
ill, and as he stood watching her, the notes of 
a song of praise to the Maker rose high above the 
deacon’s querulous tones, while mingling with it 
was the murmur of the surf as it rolled up on the 
beach, the whole forming a sort of melody which 
was soothing to the little hunchback. 


218 


Jack the Hunchback, 


Chapter XVI II. 

A DISASTER. 

Not for several moments was Aunt Nancy able 
to decide what should be done, and then, as the 
song died away leaving only the deacon’s words 
to mingle with the reverberation of the surf, she 
said in a voice which sounded strained and harsh, — 

“It must be done. You shall bring him here, 
and I will tell the story myself. When he comes, 
take Louis and walk down by the beach for a 
while.” 

The little woman could say no more, for at that 
moment Deacon Downs asked in his blandest 
tones, — 

“ Do you think it would be possible to make a 
leetle more coffee. Sister Curtis?” 

Aunt Nancy had never been known to refuse a 
request which involved only her own discomfort 
or labor, and on this occasion there was no 
exception to the rule. 

“It will be ready in a few minutes. Deacon,” 
she replied in a trembling voice, at the same time 


Jack the Hunchback. 


<219 


keeping her face turned from the party lest they 
should see the tears in her eyes. 

Jack understood there was no necessity of any 
further conversation, therefore walked slowly 
away, feeling very much like a fellow who vol- 
untarily goes to receive unmerited punishment. 

He now had no fear of Bill Dean and his friends. 
The present trouble was so much greater than any 
they could cause him that it was as if this 
particular trio of boys never existed. 

Not until he had walked to and fro for half an 
hour did he begin to realize it might not be 
possible to find the farmer amid the throng. 

Each succeeding train brought additional wor- 
shippers or visitors to the grove, and the walks 
were so densely lined with people that he might 
have passed within ten feet of Mr. Pratt without 
seeing him. 

Having made up his mind to that which he con- 
sidered a sacrifice, he was impatient to have it 
finished, and walked rapidly until the afternoon 
was more than half spent; but all in vain. 

It seemed more than probable he had gone 
home, or at least Jack so argued to himself, 
and returned to the tent looking as if suffering 
from some grievous disappointment. 

Aunt Nancy was at the flap of the canvas house 


Jack the Hunchback, 


with an expression of anxiety on her face, but the 
baby was nowhere to be seen. 

‘‘Where’s Louis?” Jack asked in alarm. 

“Mrs. Hayes is taking care of him. I thought 
it best he shouldn’t be seen when Mr. Pratt 
came. Will he be here soon ? ” 

“I couldn’t find him; he must have gone home.” 

The little woman’s face lighted up wonderfully 
as she cried, — 

“ O Jack dear, I know it is wicked to say, but 
I am so glad ! It is only right I should bear the 
burden I myself have caused ; but the thought of 
losing you and the baby almost broke my heart.” 

Then she kissed him on both cheeks, and again 
did he feel the moisture of her tears. 

“Well, Aunt Nancy, you haven’t lost us yet 
awhile, an’ if Mr. Pratt has gone home that 
settles the matter for a while.” 

“Yes, Jack dear, but the sin is yet to be atoned 
for; it is only a postponement of the evil day.” 

“ Any way there’s no need of worryin’ about 
it now. If, when we get home, you feel that he 
should know the truth, it won’t be much of a job 
for me to walk over to his house, an’ then,” Jack 
added with a feeble attempt at a smile, “they 
won’t have so far to carry me when I’m taken to 
the poor farm.” 


Jack the Hunchback, ^21 

“Don’t talk in such a manner, my dear, for I 
am hoping it won’t ever come to pass.” 

Jack made no reply. 

He felt quite confident the farmer would insist 
on his going to the home for paupers, but no 
good could be done by further distressing the 
little woman. 

“I declare I’d entirely forgotten you and I 
have had no dinner,” she suddenly said with a 
nervous laugh. “I’ll get some cold meat and 
bread, if there is any left; but it is astonishing 
how strong people’s appetites are at the seashore, 
especially during camp-meeting time. We must 
get along without coffee, for the deacon fairly 
swam in that second pot I made.” 

“I don’t feel so terribly hungry,” Jack replied; 
“ but I’ll sit down for the sake of seeing you eat. 
As to the coffee, that don’t trouble me ; water is 
good enough for boys.” 

“It is more wholesome I admit; but there’s 
nothing good enough for a dear heart like yours.” 

Then the little woman bustled around as Jack 
had seen her do at home, and in a few moments a 
most appetizing lunch was spread, the amount of 
food contradicting her fears that all the provisions 
had been consumed. 

The two made a hearty meal, considering all 


Jack the Hunchback. 


their troubles, and when it was concluded Jack 
helped Aunt Nancy set the tent to rights gener- 
ally, so when the remainder of the party returned 
from afternoon services everything was in proper 
order. 

Mrs. Hayes brought Louis with her, and after 
delivering him to Jack she said with a sigh of 
relief, — 

“I declare. Sister Curtis, it is a real pleasure to 
come to camp meeting with you. It takes the 
care off of one entirely. I only wish I had your 
knack at going ahead. Now look at me; I’m 
almost worn out looking after the baby, and 
don’t feel as if I could do a stitch toward getting 
supper.” 

The other ladies in the party appeared to be in 
the same condition of prostration, and the little 
woman, tired though she was from the labor of 
preparing and serving dinner for so many, meekly 
replied that she was perfectly willing to give 
them a rest by performing all the work. 

Jack heard the compliment paid by Mrs. Hayes, 
and understood that it had been given only for 
the purpose of getting the little woman to con- 
tinue on while the others enjoyed their leisure. 

‘H’m goin’ to help you. Aunt Nancy,” he said in 
a low tone as he went toward the stove where she 


Jack the Hunchback. 


was making ready to bake some biscuit. “ It’s 
too bad for you to do all this work while the 
others are havin’ a good time.” 

“ Oh, I don’t mind it, dear, so long as I can be 
of service to some one. We are put in this world 
to help others, and it should be a pleasure.” 

“But you’re doin’ all instead of helpin’. Now 
tell me what I can do, if you’re bound to wait 
on the whole crowd.” 

“ Take care of the baby, that will be enough.” 

“He’ll stay around here all right,” Jack replied 
as he placed the little fellow on the grass, giving 
him some smooth stones to play with. 

Then he set about assisting Aunt Nancy, work- 
ing so industriously that Deacon Downs said in a 
tone of faint approbation, — 

“ That there little hunchback seems right handy 
if he wants to, an’ if he wasn’t so given to 
fightin’ it might be a good thing for Aunt Nancy 
to have him around; but when once a boy gets as 
quarrelsome as this one, it ain’t much use trying 
to make anything out of him.” 

The majority of the party were of the same 
opinion, and from that time forth it was believed, 
at least by those who were present when the 
deacon spoke, that Jack was a boy who would 
fight under the slightest provocation. 


Jack the Hunchback. 




Not until the bell had rung as a signal that the 
evening services were about to begin did Jack 
and Aunt Nancy cease their labors. 

The other occupants of the tent had already 
departed, and the little woman and her assistant 
were so tired it seemed almost too great an 
exertion to walk to the auditorium. 

“ Why not go to bed? ” Jack asked. “I’ll take 
care of Louis until he gets sleepy, an’ then bring 
him to you.” 

“No, it would be wrong to remain here when 
so many truths will be presented, simply because 
I chance to be tired.” 

“Then we’ll all go”; and Jack lifted Louis in 
his arms. 

Aunt Nancy enjoyed the services so much that 
J ack was very glad she had come ; but as for 
himself he believed the time would have been 
quite as profitably spent in sleeping. 

On the following morning at daybreak Dea- 
con Downs aroused the hunchback with a harshly 
spoken command to build the fire and awaken 
Aunt Nancy when it was burning. 

“ Are you goin’ to make her do all the work ? ” 
Jack asked as he started to his feet. 

“ Don’t be impudent ! ” the deacon said sternly, 
raising his cane threateningly. “Learn to do as 
you are bidden, and in silence.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


Jack made no reply, but felt that the little 
woman whom he loved so dearly was being im- 
posed upon. 

As for Aunt Nancy, she appeared to have no 
such idea. 

Jack awakened her as he had been told, and she 
arose from the bed of straw on which she had lain 
without undressing, uttering no word of protest. 

“ I would have let you sleep till noon, but the 
deacon told me to, an’ was kinder mad when I 
asked if you’d got to do all the work,” Jack 
said, his tones proving there was yet anger in 
his heart. 

“ You shouldn’t have said anything about it, 
my dear, for it is a jDleasure to me.” 

“You try to think it is, but I know it’s nothin’ 
more than hard work, while the others are enjoy- 
ing a long nap.” 

“We won’t say any more about it. Jack dear. 
Don’t you think you could get me some water ? ” 

“Of course I can”; and Jack labored with 
a will, relieving the tired-looking little woman 
whenever it was possible. 

The second day at camp meeting was spent by 
these two in much the same manner as the first, 
as regards work, and Louis received very little 
attention. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


^26 

Jack, in obedience to Aunt Nancy’s request, 
looked again for Mr. Pratt, but with no better 
success than before; and after dinner he washed 
the dishes in order that the little woman might 
attend the afternoon services. 

It was a decided relief to him when the day 
came on which they were to return home. 

He knew Aunt Nancy had worked too hard, 
and the bustle and confusion tired liim almost as 
much as the labor. 

Gladly he helped gather up the empty baskets, 
and when the three were on the cars being 
whirled rapidly toward home, the little woman 
said with a sigh of relief, — 

“ What a comfort it will be to find ourselves on 
the farm once more. Jack dear ! I believe I am 
getting too old to go to such places, and a week’s 
rest wouldn’t be too much to make me feel like 
myself again.” 

“ If you had gone alone, without tryin’ to 
run a boardin’-house for them who didn’t care 
whether you had any fun or not, it would have 
been different.” 

“You don’t look at the matter in the proper 
light, my child. They’ve always been accustomed 
to having Aunt Nancy go at such times, and I 
couldn’t disappoint them as long as I was able to 
hold up my head.” 


Jack the Hunchhack. ^^7 

Jack realized it was useless to continue this 
conversation, so far as convincing the little woman 
that she had been imposed upon was concerned, 
and he remained silent. 

Never before had the farm looked so beautiful, 
either to Jack or the little woman, as when they 
arrived home that night, and during the evening 
devotions Aunt Nancy’s thankfulness was made 
apparent by the fervently spoken words. 

The hunchback’s first care, after opening the 
house, was to visit the barn to assure himself old 
crumple-horn had been well taken care of ; but he 
could not gain much information in the darkness. 

The animal was lying in her stall, and appeared 
to be in good condition. 

Notwithstanding the fact that the house had been 
closed four days, the search for burglars was made 
before retiring, and then Jack, after seeing Louis 
tucked snugly in Aunt Nancy’s bed, went to his 
cosey little room feeling confident he would never 
again have any desire to attend another camp 
meeting. 

When the morning came he went out with a 
light heart to milk the cow, but to his great sur- 
prise still found her lying down. 

All in vain did he urge her to get up ; she 
refused to move, nor would she pay any attention 


Jack the Hunchback, 


to the tempting lunch of sweet clover he placed 
in front of her. 

Running back to the house he summoned Aunt 
Nancy, and both spent fully an hour alternately 
coaxing and petting the animal. 

“She is very sick, Jack dear, there can he no 
question about that,” the little woman said as her 
eyes filled with tears. “It would grieve me 
if she should die, for I have owned her a long 
while.” 

“ How many years?” 

“I hardly know; but it can’t be less than 
eighteen.” 

“ Then she must be dying of old age.” 

“ I will go right over to Daniel Chick’s and ask 
him to come here. He’s a master hand at doctor- 
ing animals.” 

Then before Jack could offer to go in her stead. 
Aunt Nancy started down the lane bareheaded, 
which showed how deeply she felt the possible 
loss of her pet. 

In a short time Mr. Chick arrived with the little 
woman, and his verdict brought no relief to Aunt 
Nancy’s heart. 

“All you can do is to knock her in the head, 
for she’ll never get up again. It’s kinder tough 
on you. I’ll admit, for that cow has been a power- 


Jack the Hunchback, 


ful help, ’specially when the summer boarders are 
here ; hut it won’t do any good to fret.” 

Aunt Nancy made no reply, but walked slowly 
to the house as if desirous of being alone. 

“She feels mighty bad I allow,” Mr. Chick 
continued, speaking to Jack. “I’ve said many 
times I didn’t knoAV how Aunt Nancy would get 
along if it wasn’t fCr the cow, an’ now I reckon 
she’ll be eatin’ her bread without butter.” 

“ What will she do when the boarders come ? ” 

“ That’s what I don’t know ” ; and Mr. Chick 
walked away as if he had no further concern in 
the matter. 

Jack sat down where he could watch crumple- 
horn and at the same time think over this disaster 
which had come to the little woman. 

While he was trying to form some plan, the 
poor old cow laid her head on the sweet-scented 
clover, gave a few short gasps, and ceased breath- 
ing as if from sheer weariness. 

Jack stood over her a moment, and then 
returned to the house, arriving there just as 
Aunt Nancy was emerging with Louis in her 
arms. 

“ I wouldn’t go out there”; and he motioned 
toward the barn. 

Aunt Nancy looked at him an instant, appearing 


Jack the Hunchback, 


to understand what he meant, for she re-entered 
the house, leaving Jack on the doorstep in a 
profound study. 

He could hear Louis’s voice from the “ fore- 
room ” now and then, therefore it was not neces- 
sary to tell him the little woman had gone there 
to hide her grief. 

“ I must do somethin’,” he said to himself, “ an’ 
what I first thought of seems to be the only show.” 

Then going to the door of the “fore-room” 
and knocking gently, he said in a low tone, — 

“Aunt Nancy, could you spare me a little 
while?” 

“Where are you bound. Jack?” 

^ I’d like to run down to Treat’s store if you 
don’t care.” 

Aunt Nancy opened the door, and Jack noticed 
her eyes were red from weeping. 

“ What is your idea of going there ? ” she asked 
in surprise. 

“I’ve got some business that I’d rather not 
explain till I get back.” 

“There’s nothing to prevent, my child, and I 
can trust you not to do anything wrong.” 

“I should hope you could,” Jack replied em- 
phatically. “You shall know all about it when 
I come home.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


^31 


“ Don’t try to walk too fast, but return as soon 
as your business is finished.” 

Jack promised to do so, and was hurrying up 
the lane when the little woman stopped him with 
these words: — 

“I wish you would call at Daniel Chick’s and 
tell him what has happened. It will be necessary 
to bury poor old crumple-horn, and he must 
attend to it.” 

“ I’ll ask him to come over right away ” ; and 
Jack resumed his journey, wondering whether he 
was on the point of doing that for which Aunt 
Nancy would censure him. 

“It doesn’t make any difference whether she 
does or not,” he said to himself. “If I told her 
she wouldn’t let me go, so this is the only way to 
fix it.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


^32 


Chapter XIX. 

JACK’S PROPOSITION. 

Jack called at Mr. Chick’s house, saw that 
gentleman and got his promise to bury old crum- 
ple-horn at once, after which he continued on past 
Bill Dean’s home, fearing no trouble from him 
since he was yet at the camp grounds. 

On arriving at the store he found Mr. Treat 
alone, and was greeted with the question, — 

“ Hello ! Here’s Aunt Nancy’s young man ! 
How’s the old lady after her trip to the grove ? ” 

“ She is well, but tired.” 

“ I’ll warrant that. When folks want to go 
off for a good time they invite Nancy Curtis, 
reckonin’ she’ll do whatever work there is 
without grumblin’, an’ they ain’t far out of the 
way, either. Did the deacon get his full share 
of that Mocha she bought?” 

“ I don’t know, sir ; but I guess so, I didn’t 
hear him findin’ fault.” 

“ Then you can count on his havin’ been filled 
up; he don’t buy very much of that kind of 
coffee when it’s him as has to foot the bills.” 


Jack the IIu7ichhack, 


^33 


Jack had no interest in this subject, and 
changed it abruptly by saying, — 

“Aunt Nancy’s cow died this mornin’.’’ 

“ Sho ! How’d that happen ? ’’ 

“Mr. Chick thought it must be old age.” 

“Well I reckon it was. That cow has been 
in the family quite a spell.” 

“ It’ll be hard on Aunt Nancy not to have the 
milk.” 

“ I ’low you’re ’bout right, sonny ; it helped 
make up a good bit of the old woman’s livin’, an’ 
she hasn’t so much money but that a dollar makes 
a big difference.” 

“ That’s true, an’ I’ve come to see if I can’t 
help her out in some way.” 

“You?” and Mr. Treat looked up in surprise. 
“ Why, I thought you hadn’t any great amount 
of cash on hand.” 

“And I haven’t; but I thought perhaps I 
might make a trade with you.” 

“Want to have a dicker of some kind, eh? 
Well, what have you got to show up?” and Mr. 
Treat selected from a pile of pine wood a conven- 
ient stick to whittle, as he assumed a more com- 
fortable attitude preparatory to indulging in his 
favorite pastime of “dickering.” 

“ I haven’t got anything, sir ; but thought 


Jack the Hunchback. 


there might be work I could do around here till 
I’d earned enough to buy Aunt Nancy another 
cow.” 

Jack stammered and hesitated until it was a 
positive pleasure both to himself and the store- 
keeper when the speech was finally ended. 

“ What can you do ? ” Mr. Treat asked thought- 
fully as he fashioned with infinite care the bit 
of wood into a toothpick. 

“Almost anything, sir. I’d be willin’ to work 
very hard if I could get the job.” 

“Have you got any idea what the jobs ’round 
here might be ? ” 

“ It don’t make any difference ; I’m not afraid 
of bucklin’ down to them.” 

“How much do you count on earnin’?” 

“ I want to get enough to buy a cow for Aunt 
Nancy.” 

“ Do you know what one is worth ? ” 

“No, sir.” 

Mr. Treat was silent for a moment as if revolv- 
ing some very weighty matter in his mind, and 
said slowly, — 

“ I’ve got jest sich a cow as would suit Aunt 
Nancy; she’s a good one, an’ I wouldn’t like to 
part with her for nothin’. Now, if you’d do the 
chores ’round here this summer, an’ she would put 


Jack the Hunchback, 


ms 

in some of the money I owe for the wheat, we 
might strike a trade.” 

“ But I don’t want her to pay anything.” 

“ Thought you could do it all yourself, eh ? ” 

“I hoped so,” Jack replied in a tone of disap- 
pointment. 

u Why, I don’t reckon you’d earn it in a year. 
I’d want forty dollars at the very lowest figger 
for my cow, an’ it would take a mighty smart boy 
to git that much in twelve months.” 

Jack could no longer conceal his feelings, and, 
seeing he was pained because of the failure 
of his plans, Mr. Treat continued in what he in- 
tended should be a soothing tone, — 

“ I’d be willin’ to allow you twenty dollars for 
a summer’s work providin’ you’d board yourself 
at Aunt Nancy’s. Then she’d only be called 
on to pay as much more, an’ have twice as 
good a cow as the one that’s dead.” 

“How long do you say the summer should 
last?” 

“Well, I wouldn’t be hard on you, an’ we’d call 
it quits by the middle of November.” 

“ How much of that time would it be necessary 
for me to stay in the store ? ” 

“From five o’clock in the mornin’ till nine at 
night, the same as is expected of other boys.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


It was the last blow to Jack’s hopes. His 
duty to Louis would prevent him from remaining 
in this section of the country such a length of 
time, and it was essential he should assist Aunt 
Nancy in order to pay her for the food he and 
Louis consumed. 

“Well, what do you think of it?” Mr. Treat 
asked, as the boy stood irresolutely for a moment. 

“I couldn’t because I can’t stay here as long 
as that, and, besides, I must do something for 
Aunt Nancy to earn our board.” 

“ That’s right, my boy. There’s no harm 
done because we didn’t make a trade ; but it 
shows I’m willin’ to help along all I can in a case 
like this.” 

“I’m much obliged to you,” Jack replied 
faintly, and then he started up the road once 
more, walking decidedly faster than when he 
came. 

He had counted on being able to ease the sor- 
row in Aunt Nancy’s mind by buying for her a 
cow as good as the one she had lost. 

He was revolving in his mind half a dozen 
plans by which the desired result might be at- 
tained, when a voice from the opposite side of 
the road caused him to halt. 

“How’s Aunt Nancy by this time?” 


Jack the Hunchback. ^37 

It was Mr. Souders who spoke, and because 
that gentleman had been so kind to him on the 
day when the sewing circle met at the little 
woman’s house, he decided to tell him the whole 
story, not from any expectation of receiving as- 
sistance, but in order to relieve his mind. 

Mr. Souders listened attentively to all he had 
to say, and then replied, — 

‘‘Treat was trying to swindle you. His 
cow isn’t worth ten dollars, to say nothing of 
forty, an’ he wasn’t over an’ above anxious to 
give you too much for your work. Let the mat- 
ter drop a couple of days an’ I’ll see what can be 
done. We mustn’t allow Aunt Nancy to suffer.” 

There was a world of encouragement in the 
gentleman’s tones, and Jack felt as if half his 
troubles had already been removed. 

“ I’m willin’ to do anything I can towards earn- 
in’ the money to buy one ; but Louis an’ I mustn’t 
stay here till November, an’ I don’t want her to 
use her own money.” 

“That will be all right, my lad. Go home 
now, an’ I’ll see you later.” 

Jack’s heart was quite light when he walked 
swiftly down the lane leading to the tiny house, 
but became heavy again when he saw the little 
woman’s face. 


238 


Jack the Hunchback. 


It was evident Aunt Nancy was mourning 
deeply the loss of her pet, and the cripple felt that 
as yet he had nothing tangible to assauge her grief. 

She looked up inquiringly as he approached, 
but he offered no explanation regarding his 
journey until the question had been asked directly, 
and then said hesitatingly, — 

“I would rather not tell you. Aunt Nancy. I 
thought I might be able to do something, but it 
was a failure, an’ the less we say about it the 
better.” 

“Jack dear,” and the little woman was very 
grave, “when a boy can’t tell his friends what he 
has been doing it looks as if there was something 
of which to be ashamed.” 

“ But in this case there isn’t. Aunt Nancy ; 
cross my throat if there is.” 

“I believe you, my child, but would have much 
preferred if there had been perfect confidence 
between us.” 

Jack looked up in positive alarm. 

The little woman’s tone was so different from 
what he had ever heard before when she was ad- 
dressing him, that he actually felt frightened. 

“I’ll tell you all about it,” he said quickly; 
but Aunt Nancy held up her hand to prevent his 
saying anything more. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


n9 

‘‘ If it is something which you wish to keep a 
secret from me I don’t want to hear it.” 

Now Jack was distressed, for there could be no 
question hut that he had displeased his best 
friend. 

“ Please listen to me, Aunt Nancy. I did say 
I wasn’t going to tell you, because I thought 
perhaps you’d think I was meddlin’. That is, 
you might have thought so after I failed; but if 
the thing had gone through all right you’d been 
glad.” 

Then, disregarding entirely her gestures foi 
him to remain silent, he told all the story save 
that relating to his interview with Mr. Bonders. 

It was yet possible old crumple-horn’s place 
would be filled, but he believed it best not to 
raise any false hopes. 

When he concluded Aunt Nancy took his face 
in her hands, bending his head over until she 
could kiss his cheeks, when she said in a tremu- 
lous voice, — 

“ Jack, you are a dear, good boy, and have been 
a blessing to me from the hour you first came 
into this house ; but you must not think of taking 
any such load upon your shoulders. I would not 
have permitted it even had you been able to make 
a satisfactory bargain with Mr. Treat, and that is 


Jack the Hunchback, 


UO 

what no person has ever done before to my 
knowledge. It was not right to keep from me 
anything you wished to do, and it is proven in 
this case, for if I had known what you thought 
of attempting, I could have explained how useless 
it would be.” 

It didn’t seem so to me. Aunt Nancy, and I 
surely believed I could earn more than twenty 
dollars by working all summer.” 

‘^Not for such a man as the storekeeper. 
Now you will be obliged to walk over to Daniel 
Chick’s twice each day for milk, and that will 
be more labor than taking care of poor old crum- 
ple-horn.” 

“Perhaps you may get another cow, Aunt 
Nancy.” 

“ It is imj)ossible, at least during this year. I 
spent more money at camp meeting than I could 
afford, and must now pay the penalty when the 
summer boarders come by being forced to buy 
both milk and butter. It will make a big hole in 
my earnings.” 

Now that there was no cow to care for, the 
work in Jack’s particular department was very 
light, and, as he said to Aunt Nancy, it seemed as 
if he had hardly begun before the whole was done. 

The walk to Daniel Chick’s was not as pleasant 


Jack the Hunchback. 


as taking care of old crumple-horn, and besides, 
he would be forced to pass Bill Dean’s house 
twice each day, a fact which caused him no little 
disquietude; but he said nothing regarding this 
to Aunt Nancy. 

The following forty-eight hours passed very 
quietly on the farm. 

The little woman was so thoroughly tired from> 
her labors at camp meeting that she did not have 
the ambition to bustle around as usual, and the 
greater portion of her time was spent with Jack 
in the garden. 

It is probable that no collection of vegetables 
ever received more care than was bestowed by 
these enthusiastic gardeners. 

The smallest weed was detected and instantly 
pulled up by Aunt Nancy, while Jack loosened 
the ground around the roots of each tiny plant 
until it seemed certain they would be dwarfed. 

Much to Jack’s discomfort, hardly an hour 
passed when the little woman did not make some 
reference to Mr. Pratt, and constantly bewailed 
the fact that she failed to see him. 

“ But it wasn’t your fault I couldn’t find him. 
Aunt Nancy,” Jack finally said. 

“ I suppose not ; but yet it seems as if my cow- 
ardice had something to do with it.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


“You know that couldn’t be so, Aunt Nancy; 
but if you want me to I’ll walk over to bis bouse. 
It ain’t so terribly far.” 

This proposition had the effect of reducing the 
little woman to silence, and during three or four 
hours Louis’ guardian heard notliing regarding 
the man whom he had every reason to consider an . 
enemy. 

Late* on the afternoon of the third day after he 
had talked with Mr. Bonders, that gentleman’s 
wife drove up, and instead of alighting to call 
upon Aunt Nancy, said quite sharply, — 

“Samuel wanted me to drive over here for 
Jack.” 

“Why, what is the matter? ” The little woman 
asked in alarm. 

“Nothing very serious, Nancy Curtis, so don’t 
begin to fret. Sam always was full of whims, 
an’ I reckon this is one of ’em.” 

Jack fancied he knew what was wanted, and 
his heart was very light when he clambered into 
the wagon. 

“ ril come right hack,” he cried, as the carriage 
rolled away, and Aunt Nancy sat looking at Louis 
as if speechless with astonishment. 

“Is it about the cow?” Jack asked of Mrs. 
Bonders, who sat stiff as a statue and quite as 


Jack the Ilimchhack. 2^3 

forbidding looking, holding the reins tightly in 
both hands, and paying no attention to the 
cripple. 

She nodded her head, and Jack could not but 
wonder if she thought her breath too valuable to 
be wasted in words. 

This was the extent of the conversation during 
the ride of ten minutes or more, and the hunch- 
back felt decidedly relieved when it came to an 
end. 

Mrs. Bonders, silent and stern, was quite as 
disagreeable a companion as Mrs. Bonders angry. 

The cause of his having thus been summoned 
was, as he had hoped, a cow. 

In the yard, with a halter on her head and a 
card tied to her horn, stood a meek-eyed animal 
which Jack thought a model of her kind. 

Mr. Bonders came from the shed as the hunch- 
back alighted, and cried in his hearty, cheery 
voice, — 

“ What do you think of that, lad ? Talk about 
Treat’s cow ; why, she can’t hold a candle side of 
this one, and there was a big difference in the 
price.” 

“ Is it for Aunt Nancy ? ” 

“ Bartin, an’ I sent for you to lead her over to 
the little woman.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


m 


“ But who’s to pay for her ? ” 

“ That part of the transaction has been settled 
already, an’ all you have to do now, is to take 
the Greater away.” 

“ But I wanted to do somethin’ toward huyin’ 
her.” 

“ So you have, my hoy. Can you read writin’?” 

“ Not very well.” 

“ Then come here while I tell you what’s on 
the card. I got one of Daniel Chick’s daughters 
to fix it up so’s it would be kerrect.” 

Then Mr. Bonders, after wiping his glasses lest 
a single word should escape his attention, read 
the following : — 

‘‘TO AUNT NANCY CURTIS 
FROM 

JACK DUDLEY, 

TO WHOM THIS COW WAS PRESENTED BY 
SARAH SOUDERS, 

IN TOKEN OF HER REGRET FOR THE UNKIND 
TREATMENT AVHICH HE RECEIVED 
AT HER HANDS.” 

“You see,” Mr. Bonders explained confiden- 
tially as he finished reading the inscription, 


Jack the Hunchback, 


^^6 

“ mother has been sorry about what happened 
over to Aunt Nancy’s, jest as I said she would 
be, an’ this is kind of a peace-offerin’ to you, 
at the same time a good turn is done the old 
woman.” 

“Then no one else paid for the cow? Your 
wife did the whole thing?” 

“ I may have chipped in a bit ; but that don’t 
count. Its mother’s present to you an’ Aunt 
Nancy, an’ I’m right glad of the chance to 
help the little woman along. She’d be in mighty 
hard lines this summer if she had to buy butter 
an’ milk.” 

Jack hardly knew what to do or say. 

He was delighted almost beyond bounds at 
being able to take the cow to Aunt Nancy, and 
at the same time it seemed necessary he should 
thank Mrs. Bonders, but was at a loss to know 
how it was to be done. 

“Where is your wife?” he asked after a 
pause. 

“In the house, an’ I reckon she’s locked the 
door. Better not try to say anything to hei*. 
Mother’s peculiar, an’ flies off dreadfully some- 
times, but her heart’s in the right place, my boy, 
which makes up for a good many faults. Lead 
the creater home now, an’ I’ll venter to say you’ll 


Jack the Hunchback. 


enjoy seein’ Aunt Nancy dance when she knows 
its hers.” 

Jack would have attempted to thank Mr. 
Souders, but the gentleman prevented him by 
unfastening the cow’s halter, and insisting that 
the animal be led away at once. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


w 


Chapter XX. 

BILL DEAN. 

Jack was a very proud boy when he came 
down the lane to the farmhouse leading the 
docile animal by the halter. 

He hoped to reach the door before Aunt Nancy 
should see him ; but the little woman was sitting 
under the old oak wondering what business Mr. 
Bonders had on hand which required the cripple’s 
presence. 

He was half way from the main road to the 
house when she saw him, and cried in astonish- 
ment, — 

“ Bless my soul. Jack, have you been and made 
a trade with Mr. Treat after what I said ? ” 

“ Indeed I haven’t ! Jest wait till you see 
what’s on this beauty’s horn, an’ then you’ll know 
all about it.” 

Aunt Nancy could not curb her curiosity until 
the animal was led in, but ran forward with 
Louis in her arms. Jack stopping the cow that she 
might read that which was written on the card. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


The little woman was bewildered. 

She could hardly realize the animal was a 
present until Jack repeated again and again what 
Mr. Bonders had said, and then it was the hunch- 
back’s turn to be bewildered, for instead of ex- 
pressing her gratitude, she sat down on the grass, 
regardless of possible stains to her dress, and 
began to cry heartily. 

“ Why, I thought you’d be glad,” Jack said in 
a tone of disappointment, while Louis pulled at 
the little woman’s ringlets to show his sympathy 
for what seemed to be grief. 

“So — so — so I am — Jack dear; but — but — 
it doesn’t seem right that people should do so — 
so — so much for me.” 

“ It wouldn’t be enough if they’d sent a thou- 
sand cows.” 

“ But for you I might never have had poor old 
crumple-horn replaced.” 

“Of course you would. That was wrote on 
the card only to make me feel better about what 
Mrs. Souders did; but she’d given you this 
all the same.” 

Aunt Nancy refused to look at it in that light, 
and Jack became confused at being overwhelmed 
with thanks. 

The little woman insisted on tracing the gift 


Jack the Hunchback, 

directly to his visit to Treat’s store, thus giving 
him nearly all the credit, until the conversa- 
tion became really painful. 

“ Let’s take her out to the pasture, for she must 
be hungry by this time,” he said, as a means of 
putting an end to the words of gratitude which 
he believed were undeserved. 

This aroused Aunt-Nancy to a sense of the sit- 
uation as nothing else could have done, for the 
thought that anything around her might be suffer- 
ing would always cause her to forget herself, and 
she followed Jack, who had lifted Louis to the 
cow’s back to give him a ride. 

It was a sort of triumphal procession which 
halted at the pasture bars in order that Aunt 
Nancy might inspect more closely her new pet. 

“ Seems wrong to say anything disparaging 
of poor old crumple-horn after she has served me 
faithfully for so many years, but I must confess 
this coAV looks as if she might be a better milker.” 

“I’ll bet she’s the best in town,” Jack replied 
enthusiastically, as he pulled clover for the gentle 
animal to eat. 

“Not quite that. Jack dear, for Deacon Downs 
has a Jersey that leads everything.” 

“ At any rate his cow can’t be as kind as this one.” 

“That may be,” Aunt Nancy replied medita- 


^50 


Jack the Hunchback. 


lively as she kissed the fawn colored nose. “I 
do really think we couldn’t have found a better 
substitute for poor old crumple-horn.” 

Then the animal was examined critically, with- 
out a single flaw having been found, and not 
until half an hour was spent in this manner could 
she be allowed to enter the pasture. 

Aunt Nancy thought it her duty to see Mrs. 
Souders at the earliest opportunity in order to 
thank her for the gift, and decided to do so on 
the following morning when the breakfast dishes 
had been cleared away. 

Jack went to clean the stall in the barn for the 
new cow’s occupancy, and was working industri- 
ously when he fancied he heard a cry of distress 
coming, from the direction of the duck pond. 

His first thought was that Louis had strayed 
again, but on looking out, both he and the little 
woman were seen under the big oak, apparently 
as happy and contented as well could be. 

Believing he had been deceived by his fancy, 
he resumed the work, but only to stop an instant 
later as the cries sounded more distinct. 

This time there could be no mistake, and he 
ran toward Aunt Nancy as he asked, — 

“Do you hear that noise? I’m goin’ to see 
what it means.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


<251 


As lie went rapidly across the fields without 
waiting for a reply, the little woman followed 
him, but her pace was slow because of having the 
baby in her arms. 

The cries continued almost incessantly, and by 
them Jack was guided to a clump of large trees 
standing near one end of the pond within a few 
yards of the spot where Louis had been set adrift 
on the raft. 

It was not necessary to search long for the 
sufferer. 

Lying on the ground, held firmly down by a 
huge limb of a tree which had fallen across his 
breast in such a manner that he could not use 
his arms, was Bill Dean. 

His face was pale, whether from pain or fear 
Jack had no means of ascertaining, for the boy 
did not wait to be questioned, but cried pite- 
ously, — 

“O Hunchie, help me outer this scrape an’ 
I won’t ever play tricks on you agin ! ” 

This promise was not necessary to enlist Jack’s 
sympathy. 

It was a boy in agony and not an enemy he 
saw before him; the only question in his mind 
was how the rescue could be effected. 

“Lay still, an’ I’ll do the best I can; but it 


Jack the Hunchback. 


may hurt a little more when I try to lift the 
limb.” 

Kneeling that he might get his shoulder under 
one end of the heavy branch, Jack tried to raise 
it, but in vain. 

Pie was making the second effort. Bill moaning 
piteously meanwhile, when Aunt Nancy arrived, 
and she, like Jack, thought only of relieving 
suffering. 

“Where are you hurt, William?” she asked 
anxiously. 

“I don’t know, but it seems as if the ache was 
all over my body.” 

“How did the accident happen?” 

“ I was choppin’ this limb off to build a new 
raft, an’ it fell on me.” 

“Can you lift it. Jack dear?” 

“ I’m afraid not ; it’s terribl}^ heavy.” 

“ Let me help you.” 

The two strained and tugged all to no purpose, 
when, as he paused to regain his breath and wipe 
the perspiration from his face. Jack said, — 

“ I could cut away part of it if I had an axe.” 

“Mine is around here somewhere,” Bill said 
with a groan. 

Jack soon found the tool, and, working very 
cautiously lest he should cause the sufferer yet 







Jack the Hunchback, ^63 

more pain, chopped here and there to remove the 
larger twigs, while Aunt Nancy bathed Bill’s pale 
face with her handkerchief wetted in the pond. 

It required nearly half an hour of the most 
fatiguing labor to perform the task, and then Jack 
said as he threw down the axe, — 

“ When I lift on this end you must try to pull 
him out. Aunt Nancy.” 

The first attempt was a failure, but at the 
second the little woman succeeded, and Bill was 
drawn from his uncomfortable position looking 
decidedly the worse for wear. 

“Can you stand up?” Aunt Nancy asked solic- 
itously as she brushed the dirt from Bill’s hands, 
and little Louis patted his cheek to show he 
wished to take some part in the rescue, even 
though it only was to display sympathy. 

“ I’ll try,” Master Dean said meekly, and, with 
the aid of Aunt Nancy and Jack, the sorrowful 
looking bully arose to his feet. 

It was positive the bones of his legs were 
not broken, for he stood erect without difficulty, 
and, this having been ascertained. Aunt Nancy 
proceeded to make a careful examination of his 
arms and chest. 

“I do not believe you are seriously injured, 
William,” she said with a sigh of relief. “ There 


Jack the Hunchback, 


can be no doubt but that you will be very lame 
for a few days ; you must bear with it, and 
thank your Father it is no worse.” 

“ My father didn’t have anything to do with it. 
He’d given me Jesse if he knowed I was here 
cuttin’ down the tree.” 

“ I mean your Father in heaven, William, who 
watches over even the sparrow’s fall.” 

Bill looked rather shamefaced at having made 
such a mistake, and said as he turned half away 
from his rescuers, — 

“I told Hunchie I wouldn’t bother him any 
more if he’d help me out, an’ I’m goin’ to stick to 
my promise.” 

“It would have been much better if you had 
arrived at that conclusion before you were in need 
of assistance,” Aunt Nancy replied gravely. 
“One should do right because it is his duty, 
and not as a reward to others.” 

“ What’s the matter now ? ” Bill asked in sur- 
prise. “ Do you want me to keep on roughin’ it 
into him ? ” 

“Certainly not, and I am glad you made the 
promise. What I meant was that it would have 
been better had you done so because you wished 
to.” 


“But I didn’t till now.” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


^55 


‘‘We won’t speak of it further now. Go home 
and ask your mother to rub the bruises with 
liniment. When you feel inclined I would like 
to have you come to see Jack and me.” 

“I ain’t goin’ ’round to be preached at,” Bill 
replied in his old defiant tone. “ There was 
enough of that at camp meetin’ to last a feller 
a month.” 

“ I did not see you at the services.” 

“ Once I had to go when mother caught me 
jest as the bell was ringin’, an’ its the last time 
I’ll get in the same box.” 

Aunt Nancy shook her head sadly. 

She was discouraged, but not so much as to 
give up the struggle, for it was her intention to 
renew it again at a more “ convenient season.” 

“We had best go back. Jack dear, and William 
will come to-morrow to tell us how he feels. 

“ I ain’t so sure ’bout that, if you’re goin’ to 
stuff a feller with a lot of sabbath-school talk,” 
Bill said sulkily, as he picked up the axe and 
started across the fields without further thanks 
to his kind friends. 

“ He doesn’t seem like a very good boy at 
heart,” Aunt Nancy said sadly, as she raised 
Louis in her arms ; “ but we must not judge by 
outward appearances. I almost feel condemned 


Jack the Hunchback. 


for saying anything when my own sin has not 
been atoned for. My mind Avonld be much easier 
if I had seen Mr. Pratt at the meeting.” 

“ It won’t take long to fix that,” Jack replied, 
noting with sorrow the look of pain which had 
come over the little woman’s face. “ It will do 
jest as well if I go there an’ tell him what you 
wanted to say.” 

“ But then you would be where they could 
easily carry you to the poor farm.” 

“Well, s’posen they did, what would that 
’mount to side of makin’ you feel good ? Besides, 
don’t you believe Mr. Souders could make them 
let me out ? ” 

“ Perhaps he might ; I never thought of that.” 

“I’ll leave here to-morrow mornin’, an’ by 
night be there.” 

“ Bless your heart, child, I would never think 
of letting you walk that long distance. If we 
should make up our minds that it was best to go, 
and I wish I could have the strength to say it, 
you’d ride in the cars.” 

“ Why not decide now ? ” 

“ Because, Jack dear, it nearly breaks my heart 
to think there is a possibility of being obliged to 
give you up.” 

“Well, s’posen we go home an’ talk the thing 


Jack the Hunchback. 


^57 


over some other time,” Jack said with an assump- 
tion of cheerfulness which was far from natural. 

He had suddenly conceived a plan by which 
the little woman could be relieved without the 
pain of deciding that it should be so, and there 
was no more than sufficient time to put it into 
execution. 

Aunt Nancy walked back to the house in a 
meditative mood. Jack talking about the cow and 
kindred topics to prevent her mind from dwelling 
upon the dreaded subject. 

He at once set about doing the chores in an 
unusually careful manner when they arrived liome. 

A large quantity of wood was brought into the 
kitchen, an extra amount of water drawn, and the 
cow given a generous lunch of clover after she 
had been driven into the stable. 

“Why do you do so much unnecessary work. 
Jack dear?” Aunt Nancy asked. “There will he 
nothing left for morning, and it is had to have 
‘idle hands.’” 

“I may as well fix everything now, for you 
know what you said about puttin’ off till to- 
morrow. Say, Aunt Nancy, would you lend me 
a lead pencil an’ a piece of paper?” 

“Of course, my child. Are you going to 
write a letter?” 


U8 


Jack the Hunchback, 


“Yes, Aunt Nancy, an’ you shall see it in the 
mornin’.” 

“Better sit down at the kitchen table. If 
writing is as much of a task for you as it is for 
me, you’ll need every possible convenience.” 

“I had rather do it in my room, for you see I 
don’t know very much about such things, an’ 
it’ll come mighty hard, but you won’t care if it 
don’t look very nice, will you?” 

“ Certainly not, my child. It could only 
annoy me because I have not taken advantage 
of our leisure time to teach you the little I 
know.” 

“You are always blamin’ yourself. Aunt Nancy, 
an’ I don’t like to hear it. I wouldn’t let any- 
body else talk that way about you.” 

For reply the little woman patted the boy on 
the cheek, and then proposed the nightly search 
for burglars be made. 

After the evening devotions Aunt Nancy gave 
Jack the articles he had asked for, and was con- 
siderably surprised by the warmth of the boy’s 
good-night salute. 

Once in his room. Jack set about what was for 
him a formidable task, and it was late before 
he completed the following: — 


Jack the Hunchback. 269 

“Dear Aunt Nancy i am coin to sea 

THE FARMER & TELL HIM YOU R SORRY IF I 
DONT COME BACK U WILL NO WHERE I AM 
BUT DONT FEL BAD FOUR I LUV U. I CARNT 
STOP TO MILK 

Jack Dudley 

URE JACK DEAR.” 

When this had been done Jack looked around 
the little room as if taking leave of all it con- 
tained, wiped a suspicious moisture from his eyes, 
and then dressed, but with his shoes in his hands, 
crept softly down the stairs. 

The ticking of the clock sounded strangely 
loud and unnatural; the silence, save for this 
clicking noise, was oppressive, and he felt as if 
he was about to commit some crime against the 
woman who had befriended him. 

“It’s got to be done, an’ I mustn’t stand here 
worryin’ about it, or I might back out,” he said to 
himself. 

It was necessary he should think of Aunt 
Nancy’s self accusations and sorrow before he 
could nerve himself to raise the window. 

He took this method of departing rather 
than by the door, for he feared the little woman 
would be alarmed on learning she had remained 


260 


Jack the IIu7iehhaek. 


in the house a portion of the night without 
every place of egress being securely fastened. 

Once outside he gazed around several moments, 
taking in all the details of the place where he had 
spent so many pleasant days, and then, putting on 
his shoes, he started up the lane with a heart so 
heavy it seemed a positive burden. 

The moon shone faintly through the clouds; 
the night wind murmured mournfully among the 
trees, and before him could dimly be seen the road 
he believed led him to the paupers’ home by way 
of Mr. Pratt’s house. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


261 


Chapter XXI. 

STARTLING INFORMATION. 

Realizing that he had a long walk before him, 
Jack continued on at a steady pace keeping ever 
in mind the good he hoped to accomplish. 

He did not dare dwell upon the possible end- 
ing to the journey lest he should grow faint- 
hearted, but tried to persuade himself there 
would be some way by which he might escape the 
threatened ignominy. 

By starting at midnight, he expected to arrive 
at Scarborough early in the day, and then, in case 
Farmer Pratt did not attempt to detain him, it 
would be possible to return to the farm before 
sunset. 

It was not believed he would meet any 
travellers at that hour, and the loneliness, when 
the shadows danced to and fro athwart the road 
like fairy-land monsters, was so great as to make 
him repent ever having attempted the undertak- 
ing. 

As the curtain of night was slowly removed. 


^62 Jack the Hunchback. 

and the heralds of the coming morn appeared in 
the sky, his drooping spirits revived. 

He listened with interest to the sounds which 
proclaimed that day was awakening. The birds 
in their leafy homes began to discuss the jDropriety 
of going out in search of the “early worm.” 
The frogs from the watery dwellings called to 
their children that it was time to be up and doing 
unless they wanted to remain tadpoles forever, 
and the wind which came “ out of the sea ” whis- 
pered: Awake! it is the day. 

The leaves bowed and courtesied, the waving 
grasses bent yet lower their heads, the dowel's 
brought out their sweetest perfumes, and all 
nature was quivering with excitement because 
the kindly sun was about to show himself once 
more. 

Then as the first golden rays of light shot 
across the sky and the birds burst forth into song. 
Jack felt a certain sense of relief. The words 
whicli he had heard Aunt Nancy speak so often 
came to his mind, and he repeated over and over 
again, understanding the meaning better than ever 
before, — 

“He doeth all things well.” 

It was but a little past eight o’clock when he 
turned the corner which led to Farmer Pratt’s 


Jack the Hunchback. 


<26S 


house, and the first person he saw was none 
other than Master Tom. 

“Hello! Where’d you come from?” that 
young gentleman cried in surprise. 

“ Down the road a bit.” 

“Why didn’t you git hack before? Father’s 
been lookin’ almost everywhere for you an’ the 
baby.” 

“ Is he still huntin’ ? ” 

“No, he gave it up as a bad job a good while 
ago, for there’s no chance of gettin’ the reward 
now.” 

“ The reward ? ” Jack asked in surprise. 

“ Yes ; you see the baby’s mother went away 
from Portland, an’ father don’t allow there’s any- 
body in town who cares very much about it after 
so long a time.” 

“Louis’ mother in Portland?” Jack cried, 
rapidly growing bewildered. 

“ Of course ; father went in to see her after he 
made up his mind you’d gone away ; but she 
wasn’t there, so he said it would pay him better 
to ’tend to the farm instead of runnin’ ’round 
after you fellers.” 

Jack’s eyes were opened wide with astonish- 
ment, and Tom began to think the hunchback had 
taken leave of his senses. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“ What’s the matter with you ? ” he asked 
sharply, and Jack replied slowly, — 

“ I can’t make out how Mrs. Littlefield happened 
to be in Portland when the last I saw of her was 
on the ‘ Atlanta.’ Why, the ship was goin’ to 
Bremen ! ” 

“She come inside the breakwater after you 
went adrift. It’s all in the papers father’s got.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me about it ? ” Jack asked 
reproachfully. 

“ How could I when we didn’t know where you 
was ? Me an’ father hunted all ’round., but 
couldn’t find hide nor hair of either you or the 
baby.” 

“Was your father tryin’ to send us back to 
Mrs. Littlefield?” 

“ Sure, ’cause he wanted to earn the reward.” 

“An’ I’ve been keepin’ out of his way when I 
might have given Louis back to his mother long 
ago ! ” Jack cried in dismay. 

“ You oughter knowed better.” 

“How could I when he’d threatened to send 
us to the poor farm ? ” 

“ But he didn’t.” 

“ He told Aunt Nancy so.” 

“ Who’s she?” 

“A lady we’ve been livin’ with. Say, Tom, 


Jack the Hunchback, 


265 


have you got the papers that tell about Mrs. 
Littlefield huntin’ for us ? ” 

“ There’s a whole slat of ’em down to the house. 
Father spent inore’n twenty cents buyin’ whatever 
had anything in it about you.” 

“ Will you give me one?” 

“ Of course. I know they ain’t any good, for I 
heard him say he’d thrown away jest so much 
money on the pesky things.” 

“Let’s go right down an’ get one,” Jack cried 
excitedly as he tried to quicken Tom’s movements 
by jDulling at his arm. 

Master Pratt was not a boy who could be 
hurried; he objected to moving quickly upon any 
occasion, however important, and said irritably, — 

“ Don’t yank a feller ’round so ; if I go back now 
I’m afraid father’ll be there an’ set me to work.” 

“I’ll help you if he does.” 

“A feller like you wouldn’t ’mount to much 
haulin’ rock-weed,” Tom said scornfully. 

“But I’ll help as much as I can. Do go, Tom; 
only think what it means to Louis ! His mother 
will soon find him if I can take one of the papers 
back to Aunt Nancy.” 

“How do you make that out?” 

“She’d see where to write to Mrs. Littlefield, 
an’ that would settle the whole thing.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


me 


“Well, I’ll go,” Master Pratt said with an air 
such as he fancied a martyr should wear; “hut 
it’s goin’ to be mighty hard if I’m set to work 
after gettin’ so far away from home.” 

Jack hurried him along as fast as possible, 
which at the best was a slow pace, and, on arriv- 
ing at the Pratt farm, Tom reconnoitred several 
minutes, determined not to enter the house if his 
father was on the premises. 

Mr. Pratt was nowhere to be seen, and Tom 
whispered, — 

“You stay here while I run in an’ get it. 
Mother may be mad if she sees you bangin’ 
’round after father has blowed us up so much for 
lettin’ you go away.” 

Jack hid himself behind a clump of hollyhocks, 
and in a few moments Tom came back with two 
papers which showed signs of having been sub- 
jected to hard usage. 

“Put ’em in your pocket, an’ let’s skip.” 

Jack was about to act upon this suggestion 
when it suddenly occurred to him that, in the 
excitement caused by learning Louis’ mother was 
searching for her child, he had forgotten the 
reason for his visit. 

“I’ve got to see your father before I leave,” he 
said. 


Jack the Hunchback. M7 

“What for? He won’t be very pleasant after 
losin’ all the money the captain’s wife was willin’ 
to pay.” 

“I can’t help that. I’m here with a message 
from Aunt Nancy, an’ it must be delivered. ” 

“I guess you’ll find him down in the potato 
patch, but I ain’t fool enough to go with you. 
Hurry up, an’ I’ll see you on the road, for I 
reckon you count on goin’ back to that Aunt 
Nancy.” 

“Of course, an’ I must be there as soon as 
possible.” 

Tom pointed out the location of the field, and 
Jack started across the ploughed land feeling very 
light at heart, because it now seemed probable 
Louis would soon find his mother. 

Farmer Pratt was not aware he had a visitor 
until Jack had approached within a couple of yards, 
and said in a voice which was decidedly shaky, — 

“Good mornin’, sir.” 

“ Hello ! It’s you, eh ? ” 

“Yes, sir,” Jack replied, as if believing the 
gentleman wished for an answer. 

“Well, you young scoundrel, what have you to 
say for yourself after cheatin’ me out of one hun- 
dred dollars ? Answer me that, you misshapen 
villain ! ” 


^68 


Jack the Hunchback, 


“ I didn’t cheat you, sir.” 

“ Don’t contradict me, you miserable cripple, or 
as sure’s my name’s Nathan Pratt I’ll strike you 
with this hoe ! ” 

Jack started hack in alarm as the farmer raised 
the tool, and then, hoping to bring the interview 
to a speedy close, said timidly, — 

“I came here, sir, to tell you that Aunt Nancy 
is awful sorry she acted a lie when you were at 
the house huntin’ for us. She can’t be easy in 
her mind till she’s confessed, an’ as she couldn’t 
walk so far I’ve come in her place.” 

“Is that the little woman up on the Saco road 
with a couple of curls an’ a mighty sharp tongue ? ” 

“She’s got two curls.” 

“I know her! So she lied to me, eh?” 

“Not exactly, sir, for you didn’t ask straight 
out if we were there ; but she’s awful good 
and thinks by not tollin’ everything it was 
the same as a lie, so I come over here to tell you 
she’s sorry.” 

“ So she ought to be, the vixen I The idea of 
a little drop of vinegar like her keepin’ that baby 
away from his mother ! ” 

“ Did you know, then, that Louis’ mother was 
huntin’ for him?” 

“ Of course I did, or else why would I have 


Ja<^ the Hwnchhae^, 269 

gone gallivantin’ ’round the country lookin^ for 
him?” 

“Then why didn’t yon tell her? She’d been 
only too glad to hear from Mrs. Littlefield, but 
you made her believe we’d got to be took to the 
poor farm.” 

The farmer glared at Jack for an instant, and 
then it flashed across his mind that the cause of 
his losing the reward was the lie he told to Aunt 
Nancy. 

This was not a consoling thought to one who 
had mourned so deeply over the loss of the pro- 
spective money as had Mr. Pratt, and the only 
relief he could find was in scolding Jack. 

The cripple listened to his angry words a few 
seconds, and then, knowing no good could come 
of waiting, said as he walked away,— 

“I only came over here to tell you Aunt Nancy 
was sorry, an’ there’s no need of stayin’ any 
longer after you know it.” 

“I’ll have her arrested for swindlin’ me outer 
that money!” 

' “She didn’t do anything of the kind, an’ it’s 
all your own fault you lost it,” Jack cried, em- 
boldened by the knowledge that he was at a safe 
distance from the angry man. 

The farmer shook his fist at the cripple in 


^70 


Jack the Hunchback, 


impotent rage, and Jack hurried out to the road 
Avhere Tom was waiting to receive him. 

“What was goin’ on down there?” Master 
Pratt asked eagerly. “ I heard him hollerin’ 
awful.” 

“ It wasn’t much. Your father was kinder 
mad, but 1 guess he’ll get over it pretty soon.” 

“ I hope so, for he’s been scoldin’ about losin’ 
the money ever since he first saw the papers. 
Where are you goin’ now?” 

“ Home.” 

“ Why don’t you hold on a Avhile an’ get 
rested?” 

“It won’t do to stop; Aunt Nancy’ll be worry- 
in’ about me, an’, besides, we’ve got to send a 
letter to Louis’ mother right away.” 

Tom insisted that after the service he had 
rendered it would be nothing more than a friendly 
act for the cripple to remain and chat a while, 
but Jack would listen to nothing of the kind. 

Despite his weariness he set out on the return 
journey at once, but Avith a lighter heart than 
AAdien he left Aunt Nancy’s home. 

It Avas dark Avhen he came doAvn the lane 
and found the little Avoman sitting under the 
old oak. 

“O Jack dear!” she cried in tones of mingled 


Jack the Hunchback. 


9.71 


joy and surprise. “ It’s reall}' you, and that hard- 
hearted farmer didn’t send you to the poor farm. 
But perhaps you couldn’t find him,” she added 
as the thought occurred to her. 

“Yes I did, an’ I told him you was sorry.” 

Then Jack related the incidents of his journey, 
reserving until the last the startling news which 
promised to restore Louis to his parents’ arms. 

Aunt Nancy alternately laughed and cried when 
she heard the story, and at its conclusion said, — 

“AYhat a lesson that should be to us, Jack dear. 
If I hadn’t acted the lie Louis would have seen 
his mother just so much sooner, and I have been 
the means of making the poor woman’s heart ache 
longer than was necessary. You thought it wasn’t 
a sin because I didn’t 8peak the words which 
formed the falsehood, and yet you can now see that 
increased trouble has been brought about by it.” 

“ But Mr. Pratt told a reg’lar lie.” 

“That doesn’t excuse me in the slightest. If 
every person in the world spoke falsely I couldn’t 
plead that it gave me a right to do so. But come 
into the house and get something to eat. You 
must be nearly famished as well as tired.” 

“A slice of bread and butter wouldn’t taste 
bad. Where’s Louis?” 

“I put him to bed an hour ago,” the little 
woman replied as she led the way in. “After 


Jack the Hunchback, 


^ 27 ^ 

1 set the table I’ll read the jDapers you brought 
so we can find out what’s to be done to let that 
poor woman know where her baby is.” 

Jack insisted there was no reason why the table 
should be laid for him, but Aunt Nancy would 
not listen to his proposition of taking the food in 
his hands. 

She set out some of the best, crockery, and in it 
placed as tempting a lunch as the most fastidious 
boy could have asked for. 

Then as Jack ate she read the accounts of the 
accident on board the Atlanta.” 

“It doesn’t state here where the captain lives,” 
she said after a while, “ but I think I know hoAV 
we can find Mrs. Littlefield. I will write a letter 
to the editor of the paper asking for her address, 
or perhaps it would save time to send one to her 
and get him to address it.” 

“Tlie last plan is the best,” Jack said after 
some thought. 

“Then I’ll write at once, and you shall take it 
to the post office the first thing in the morning.” 

It was late before the little woman finished 
what was to her a hard task, and then she thanked 
her Father for his wondrous goodness and meicy 
in allowing that lier sin brought forth no other 
evil than the delay in restoring the baby to his 
mother’s arms. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


ms 


Chapter XXII. 

THE ARRIVAL. 

Bright and early on the following morning 
Jack set out for the post office with the letter, 
and Mr. Treat would have resumed the “dicker” 
for the cow immediately after his arrival, but the 
hunchback prevented him by saying, — 

“I don’t want to buy one now. Mrs. Souders 
gave Aunt Nancy a handsome creature, and that 
is all she needs.” 

“Sho! You don’t mean to tell me Sarah 
Souders gave one right out?” 

“ That’s what she did.” 

“Then all I can say is, it’s a case of fool an’ 
her money soon parted. Why shouldn’t Aunt 
Nancy pay for things the same as anybody else?” 

“ She hadn’t the money.” 

“There’s where you make a mistake, for we 
haven’t settled for the wheat yet, an’ I’ve quite a 
little sum in my hands belongin’ to her.” 

“But that must be used in gettin’ ready for 
the summer boarders.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 




“Well,” Mr. Treat said with a long-drawn sigh, 
as if pained because he had been prevented from 
performing a charitable act, “I can’t help it if the 
old woman wants sich a cow as Sarah Souders 
would buy when she can get a good one from me 
by puttin’ out a little money.” 

Then the worthy post master took the letter 
Jack handed him, scrutinized it carefully, asked 
if Aunt Nancy was thinking of putting an ad- 
vertisement in the papers for summer boarders, 
and, on receiving a non-committal answer, finally 
dropped it in the mail bag. 

Jack had waited to see this last act performed, 
and when the missive disappeared he huiTied 
home. 

It so chanced that he did not arrive there as 
soon as he had expected. 

While passing Mr. Dean’s house Bill came out 
and hailed him with, — 

“ Say, Hunchie, is the old maid waitin’ for me 
to come ’round so she can talk Sunday school?” 

“ Aunt Nancy doesn’t do anything of the kind. 
If you knowed her as well as I do you’d be 
mighty glad to be where she was.” 

“ I ain’t sayin’ that isn’t so, an’ don’t be s’prised 
if you see me up there pretty soon.” 

“Shall I tell her so?” 


Jack the Hunchback, 


^75 


“No, for it might give the old woman too much 
of a shock. I only thought I’d let you know so’s 
you wouldn’t get frightened when I came inter 
the yard,” and with this remark Master Dean re- 
entered the house, probably thinking he had paved 
the way in a very delicate manner for a visit to 
the little woman whom he had so often held up to 
ridicule. 

Now that the important letter had really been 
sent both Aunt Nancy and Jack were in a ner- 
vously expectant frame of mind. 

They were unable to decide whether the editor 
of the newspaper or Mrs. Littlefield would write 
first, and anxiously they awaited for some tid- 
ings. 

Jack went to the post office for every mail, and 
the little woman actually neglected to wipe 
imaginary specks of dust from the furniture during 
three whole days. % 

At the expiration of this time both were 
startled at seeing Daniel Chick drive up the lane 
with a strange lady in his wagon. 

It was at the close of the afternoon, and the 
two were sitting under the big oak while Louis 
nestled snugly in the little woman’s arms. 

There was no doubt in Aunt Nancy’s mind as 
to who the stranger might be when she leaped 


^76 


Jack the Hunchback. 


from the carriage, and, seizing the baby in her 
arms, covered his face with kisses and tears. 

“It’s the dear little fellow’s mother,” Aunt 
Nancy whispered, as she led Jack away, “and it 
is well to leave her alone for a while. She may 
be hungry, and we must get supper at once. 
Send Daniel Chick off while I start the fire.” 

It was not an easy matter to dismiss the driver 
of the vehicle. 

He had been unable to extract any information 
from Mrs. Littlefield, and wanted to know why 
she had come to Aunt Nancy’s at least three 
weeks before the summer boarders should arrive. 

“ It’s the baby’s mother, and we want to leave 
her alone,” Jack replied. 

“ I ain’t troublin’ of her, am I ? ” and Mr. Chick 
crossed one leg over the other as he gazed at the 
scene. 

^ “No; but Aunt Nancy said you were to go 
away now,” Jack persisted, and then, seeing that 
the gentleman evinced no disposition to leave, he 
joined the little woman in the house. 

Supper was ready and on the table before Mrs. 
Littlefield could relinquish the baby long enough 
to ask Jack for the particulars of his adven- 
tures. 

Then when she came to the door Aunt Nancy 


Jack the Hunchback, 277 

said, as her ringlets, sharing the feelings of the 
wearer, shook with suppressed excitement, — 

‘‘ I hope you will have something to eat. You 
must be hungry by this time, and Louis shall sit 
with me while you are at the table.” 

As she spoke the little woman held out her 
hands invitingly to the baby, and he showed every 
desire to go to her. 

‘‘It can be plainly seen that my darling has 
had a good home,” Mrs. Littlefield replied as she 
kissed him again and again. 

“He has been loved perhaps better than in a 
house where there were other children ; but 
almost any "one would have given him the same 
treatment.” 

“ I am afraid not ; both he and Jack have been 
very fortunate. Now I will take a cup of tea, 
but had rather hold him myself.” 

Aunt Nancy beckoned for Jack to be seate^ 
although it was not more than two hours since 
he had eaten supper, and when the little woman’s 
head was bowed in devotion she fervently thanked 
her Father for his wondrous goodness and mercy 
in allowing the mother and child to meet again 
in this world. 

During the meal Mrs. Littlefield asked Jack to 
tell the story of his wanderings, and he gave thein 


Jack the Hunchback. 


m 

in detail, not omitting an account of Farmer 
Pratt’s determination to send them to the poor 
farm. 

“ I shall never he able to repay you for all you 
have done, my boy,” Louis’ mother said feelingly 
when the cripple concluded. “You are to go 
back with me, and I will take care that you have 
a good home.” 

Jack had nothing to say in regard to this. 

It seemed only natural he should remain 
with Louis after all that had happened, but the 
idea of leaving the farm was not a pleasant one. 

He had known Mrs. Littlefield only during 
such time as she was on shipboard, and while she 
had been^kind to him it was as nothing compared 
with what he experienced during his stay with 
Aunt Nancy. 

Very much was said regarding the children’s 
^ad ventures. Aunt Nancy was thanked over and 
over again for all her kindness, and then Louis’ 
mother intimated that she would like to retire. 

“ I wish to leave here on the first train to-morrow 
morning, and have travelled so long that rest seems 
necessary now.” 

The little woman conducted her guest to 
another apartment, and then, with Jack’s assist- 
ance, the kitchen was paade tidy once more. 


Jack the Hunchback. 


mo 


''aiiouis was nestling in his mother’s arms in the 
lavender-scented bed which Aunt Nancy kept 
especially for “company,” and the little Avoman 
and Jack were under the big oak together for 
what both believed would be the last time. 

“You must think sometimes, Jack dear, of the 
poor old maid who is sitting out here at this same 
hour wondering where in the big world her boy 
and baby are.” 

“There won’t come a day or evening. Aunt 
Nancy, when I sha’n’t think of you, and remember 
you are the best friend I or any other boy ever 
had. You see I can’t say what is in my heart, 
hut if I could you'd know I’d never forget how 
good you’ve been to me.” 

“The little I have done. Jack dear, was only 
my duty, and you have paid me a thousand fold 
for everything. I haven’t been so contented for 
many years as since you came here, and but for 
the wrong committed when Mr. Pratt called I 
should have been perfectly happy.” 

“I’m glad you liked me,” Jack said half to 
himself, “for if you hadn’t I wouldn’t have 
known what a real home was like. It kinder 
seems as if I belonged here.” 

“You do act the same as own folks, and I 
wonder if Mrs. Littlefield will take as much com- 
fort with you as I have?” 


^80 


Jack the Hunchback. 


“But I’m not goin’ to stay at her house very 
long. When the captain comes home I shall get 
work on board the ‘Atlanta’ again. Folks 
won’t keep me for an ornament, you know, an’ I 
must earn my own livin’.” 

“Do you like to go to sea?” 

“Well, there’s some things about it that’s 
pleasanter than stayin’ ashore. The sailors are 
kinder than the boys in town, an’ don’t call me 
‘ Hunchie,’ or names of that sort.” 

Aunt Nancy remained silent, as if in deep 
thought, several moments, and then said 
abruptly, — 

“You certainly ought to go to school a portion 
of the time. Jack dear.” 

“ I s’pose I had, for I don’t know scarcely any- 
thing, an’ never had a chance to learn.” 

“Can you read?” 

“If the words ain’t too long; but in printin’ 
there are so few short ones, that I don’t seem to 
find out what the man who made it meant.” 

“I should have taught you instead of sitting 
here idle; but we couldn’t have accomplished a 
great deal since you came.” 

“You’ve had enough to do without botherin’ 
about me.” 

“But, Jack, you can do a great deal by 


Jack the Hunchback, 


mi 


yourself. Before you go away I want to give 
you a little money, and with some of it you must 
buy a school book. Then study a certain portion 
of it each day, until there is no difficulty in read- 
ing any ordinary print. After that will be time 
enough to take up other branches, and writing 
must come with the reading, as I shall look very 
anxiously for a letter in your own hand.” 

“I’ll do tlie best I can. Aunt Nancy, but I don’t 
want you to give me any money. You haven’t 
much to spare, and that I know.” 

“I shall share it with you. Jack dear, and you 
mustn’t make any objection, for after you have 
gone I shall feel better to know you are able to 
buy what little you may want.” 

Then Aunt Nancy drew from her pocket a 
small black book which she handed to the boy as 
she said in a low tone, — 

“ This was my father’s Bible, and the print is so 
faint that I can no longer read it even with 

“Hadn’t you rather keep it? It was your 
father’s.” 

“ No, dear. I have one as you know, and this 
can be put to no better service than teaching you 
the right way. For my sake. Jack, become a 
good man. Shun evil company, and do unto 


Jack the Hunchback. 


others as you would they should do unto you. I 
haven’t set a very good example in that way since 
you came here ; but you have a better temper 
than I, and for that more is expected. Don’t be 
tempted to tell a lie, and then you’ll never feel as 
I have since Mr. Pratt called.” 

“I’ll remember all you say, Aunt Nancy, and 
it would be a mighty ungrateful feller who’d do 
anything he thought would make you feel bad.” 

Then ensued another long interval of silence, 
during which the sun finished his work of paint- 
ing the clouds, and had sunk behind the hills. 

“It’ll come pretty hard not to see you at 
night,” Jack finally said thoughtfully. 

“Will it, really?” the little woman asked 
eagerly. 

“Of course,” and Jack looked up in surprise 
that such a question should have been asked. “ I 
don’t s’pose I’ll ever find a home as nice as this.” 

“And would you be willing to stay here?” 

“Indeed I would if I could get work to pay 
my way.” 

“Don’t you think it would be lonely when 
winter comes, and you would be obliged to re- 
main a greater portion of the time in the house ? ” 

“Not if you was here.” 

“Then, Jack, I am going to say something I 


Jack the Hunchhach ^83 

thought ought not to be spoken of for fear you 
might do it simply to please me. Why not stay?” 

“ But I can’t find any work ’round here, Aunt 
Nancy.” 

“You have contrived to get plenty from the 
first night I saw you. If this home seems 
pleasant there is no reason why you should leave 
it, and when the white winged messengers come 
to carry me to the Father, the little I leave behind 
shall he yours. It isn’t much. Jack dear, but 
would keep you from want, and a delicate boy 
like you is not able to fight the hard world. If 
you were strong and well the case would be 
different.” 

Jack drew a long breath as if the pleasurable 
surprise was almost overpowering, and then asked 
slowly, — 

“ Do you really want me to live here ? ” 

“ Do I want you ? If you say you will stay the 
pain which is now in my heart will go away in an 
instant, and I would be the happiest old woman 
in the State.” 

“Then there’ll be two feelin’ mighty good, 
Aunt Nancy, for I’m only too glad of the chance.” 

The little woman kissed him tenderly, which 
told better than words that the invitation really 
came from the heart. 


Jack the Hunchback, 


Not until a late hour that night did the tiny 
woman and the cripple leave the bench under the 
old oak. 

Aunt Nancy had many plans for the future, 
chief among which was giving Jack an education, 
and he speculated upon the possibility of tilling 
so much of the farm during the coming season as 
would give him a small income. 

All this was so interesting that for the first 
time in her life Aunt Nancy came very near for- 
getting to search the house for supposed burglars. 

“Mercy on us. Jack! It must be near mid- 
night, and we haven’t looked into a single room yet. 
I am so excited I hardly know what I’m about.” 

“ I don’t believe there would be any harm done 
if we didn’t search the place for a week,” Jack 
said with a merry laugh ; “ but we’ll go through 
the motions all the same.” 

On the following morning there was very little 
opportunity for a lengthy conversation upon the 
change in the plans as arranged by Aunt Nancy 
and Jack. 

When she made known the fact that the cripple 
would remain with her, Mrs. Littlefield approved 
heartily of it. 

“ I am positive he couldn’t have a better home,” 
she said, “ and will take it upon myself to see 


Jack the Hunchhack. 


285 


he is not a burden. That much I owe him, if 
nothing more, for all he did to make my baby 
happy and comfortable.” 

“I am not a rich woman, Mrs. Littlefield,” 
Aunt Nancy said with considerable dignity, “but 
I can care for the dear boy while I live.” 

This concluded the subject, for at that moment 
Daniel Chick arrived to take the visitor to the 
station, and Aunt Nancy and Jack could think of 
nothing save the parting with the little fellow 
they had learned to love so dearly. 

Louis crowed and laughed at the prospect of a 
ride, and Aunt Nancy said sadly when he disap- 
peared around the corner of the lane, — 

“ It almost seems as if he was glad to go away 
from us. Jack dear.” 

“I reckon the farm will be kinder lonesome 
for a day or two, but he’s with his mother, an’ 
that’s where he belongs.” 

“Yes, dear, we mustn’t repine. The day will 
soon come for me when I go away to my Father, 
and then you must think the same, for I shall be 
many times happier in the eternal city than the 
baby is now. It will be a lonely time for you. 
Jack dear, but only for a short while, after which 
the old maid and the cripple will be in the glory 
and splendor of God’s own light.” 


Jack the Hunchback. 


Then Aunt Nancy kissed Jack affectionately as 
she drew him to the favorite seat, and, under the 
old oak where so many happy as well as sad hours 
have been spent, will we bid adieu to the hunch- 
back and his best earthly friend. 


THE END. 






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